ShafaqNews- Baghdad
IraqiPrime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi on Saturday ordered an investigation into thekilling of an Iraqi fisherman near the Kuwait border, calling for legal stepsto prevent similar incidents and protect Iraqi citizens.
Al-Zaidiinstructed the Foreign Ministry, the Army Chief of Staff, and relevant securityauthorities in southern Basra province to review all details surrounding theincident, while condemning the shooting as unacceptable.
OnFriday, Basra lawmaker Alaa Al-Haidari accused Kuwait of killing Iraqi fishermanNajm Abdullah Khalid, injuring another fisherman, and detaining their crewinside Iraqi territorial waters. Describing the incident as a violation ofIraqi sovereignty, he called for the Kuwaiti consul in Basra to leave and urgedBaghdad to take a firm stance over the incident.
NajmAbdullah Khalid’s body was returned through the Safwan border crossing earlierthis week, along with Thaer Mohammed Salman, who suffered a gunshot wound tothe head, and three fishermen who had been released, a Basra security sourcetold Shafaq News.
Thesource added that a Kuwaiti Coast Guard patrol opened fire on the Iraqi fishingboat IFB166 before detaining its crew.
Kuwaithas not publicly responded to the accusations or confirmed where the shootingoccurred.
Iraq’sHigh Commission for Human Rights pressed authorities to take immediate steps toprotect Iraqi fishermen, calling for a transparent investigation to safeguardthe victims’ rights.
Advisingworkers to remain within authorized waters, avoid disputed areas, and followinstructions from naval forces and border guards, the Commission called forfishing boats to be equipped with modern tracking devices to improve safety andprevent similar incidents.