Iraqi Foreign Minister Announces Death of Fisherman Detained by Kuwaiti Coast Guard After Being Shot

Iraq's Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, announced on Thursday the death of an Iraqi fisherman who had been detained by the Kuwaiti Coast Guard. The announcement came in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which clarified that Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, on the sidelines of his official visit to Kuwait. The meeting focused on discussing bilateral relations between Iraq and Kuwait, particularly in the security domain, and ways to enhance coordination and cooperation between relevant authorities in both countries. This cooperation aims to solidify mutual security and stability and safeguard bilateral ties. Hussein affirmed that this visit marks his first to Kuwait since the formation of the current Iraqi government, and it aims to present the Iraqi government's vision regarding the security challenges facing Iraq and the region, and their repercussions on its relations with neighboring countries, foremost among them Kuwait. The Minister reviewed the security challenges Iraq has faced as a result of the recent war and the subsequent implications that have affected the security of Iraq and the broader region. He noted that the Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, adopts a clear vision for addressing internal and external security challenges and seeks to strengthen cooperation with sisterly nations to serve regional security and stability. During the meeting, the Minister raised the issue of repeated incidents involving Iraqi fishermen in the contact areas and overlapping waters between the two countries. He specifically addressed the recent tragic incident that led to the death of an Iraqi fisherman, emphasizing the importance of establishing joint preventive mechanisms and procedures to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents, reflecting the commitment of both countries' leaderships to protecting lives and preserving fraternal relations. For their part, both sides underscored the necessity of reaching mutual understandings in security areas and enhancing coordination between specialized agencies to ensure the security of both nations and prevent bilateral relations from being affected by any unintentional incidents or breaches. The two sides also discussed the importance of continued joint cooperation to verify the facts related to security breaches indicated by Kuwaiti authorities, through a joint technical effort between the relevant bodies in both countries. This work aims to reach accurate information and take appropriate measures that safeguard common interests and enhance trust and cooperation between Iraq and Kuwait.