Shafaq News- Baghdad
Kuwait's Coast Guard did not intentionally cause casualtieswhen it opened fire on an Iraqi fishing boat on July 3, Iraq's Foreign Ministrysaid on Saturday.
The assessment was based on a preliminary report submittedby Iraq's embassy in Kuwait on July 5 using information provided by the KuwaitiForeign Ministry. Kuwaiti authorities later presented video footage of theshooting during a meeting with Iraqi officials, including National SecurityAdviser Qasim Al-Aboudi and Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein subsequently directed therelevant authorities and Iraq's diplomatic mission in Kuwait to pursue thecase, establish the circumstances of the shooting, and coordinate with theirKuwaiti counterparts.
During an official visit to Kuwait on July 8, Hussein raisedthe issue with the Kuwaiti leadership, requesting a full account of theshooting, while expressing Baghdad’s “deep concern” and its rejection of anyrecurrence of incidents that endanger Iraqi citizens and harm bilateralrelations.
He also instructed Iraq's embassy in Kuwait to continuemonitoring the ongoing investigation and coordinate with the Iraqi Naval Forceto obtain further information and its official assessment.
“Responsibility for maintaining the security and safety ofIraq’s territorial waters, ensuring the safety of individuals using them forfishing or navigation, and determining the areas designated for safe navigationand fishing falls within the jurisdiction of the competent Iraqi authorities,foremost among them the Iraqi Naval Force, in accordance with the applicablelaws and established mandates,” the ministry stressed.
Earlier this week, the Iraqi fishermen who had been detainedin Kuwait returned to Iraq through the Safwan border crossing. The incidentsparked public anger in Iraq, with calls for protests on July 12 outside theKuwaiti Consulate in Basra demanding greater protection for Iraqi fishermen andthe expulsion of Kuwait's consul from the province.
