Gulf States Back Kuwait in Maritime Dispute with Iraq
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
Iraq’s submission of maritime coordinates to the U.N. marks a lawful assertion of sovereignty under the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, clarifying the scope of its territorial waters and economic zones. The updated filing replaces earlier claims and follows the Supreme Federal Court’s annulment of a 2012 treaty that lacked proper parliamentary approval. Trade with Kuwait rose 116% in 2024, indicating that economic cooperation continues to expand even as these legal parameters are formally redefined.
Government-critical narrative
Iraq's unilateral deposit of maritime coordinates brazenly infringes on Kuwait's undisputed sovereignty over waters and features like Fasht Al-Qaid and Fasht Al-Aij, violating established bilateral agreements and the historical settlement of boundaries under U.N. Security Council Resolution 833. This aggressive move disregards decades of diplomatic progress and threatens regional stability, forcing Kuwait and Gulf allies to formally protest Baghdad's disrespect for international law and neighborly relations.
Metaculus Prediction
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