Saudi Arabia is concerned about Iraqi modifications to maritime borders
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its deep concern and close monitoring of the coordinates and maps submitted by the Republic of Iraq to the United Nations concerning the demarcation of its maritime borders. In an official statement, the Ministry clarified that the Iraqi action constitutes clear encroachments on large parts of the submerged area adjacent to the Saudi-Kuwaiti Divided Zone, over which the Kingdom and Kuwait possess exclusive sovereign rights to exploit natural resources.
The statement affirmed the Kingdom’s categorical rejection of any claims that infringe upon its rights and the rights of the State of Kuwait in this region, stressing that ownership of the natural resources in the submerged divided region, including the entire Al-Durra field, is jointly owned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait only, and they alone have full sovereign rights to exploit them.
Historical background and roots of the border conflict
The roots of this issue lie in decades of political and geographical interactions in the northern Arabian Gulf. The Neutral Zone (later partitioned) between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait was established by the Treaty of Uqair in 1922, with the aim of managing resources and facilitating the movement of tribes. In 1969, the zone was administratively divided while maintaining the principle of shared ownership of natural resources, which remains the cornerstone of the current Saudi-Kuwaiti position. The border between Iraq and Kuwait has witnessed historical tensions, culminating in the Iraqi invasion of 1990. Following the liberation of Kuwait, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 833 in 1993, which definitively and legally established the land and maritime borders between the two countries. This resolution serves as the basis for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait's assertion of Kuwait's sovereignty over its territorial waters.
Strategic importance and potential impacts
This region holds immense strategic and economic importance, containing vast oil and gas reserves, most notably the Dorra gas field and the Khafji and Hout oil fields. Any border dispute in this area poses a direct threat to the stability of global energy supplies and the security of vital shipping lanes in the Arabian Gulf. Regionally, this development comes at a time of marked improvement in Iraqi-Gulf relations, and this action could complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at strengthening regional integration. Internationally, this dispute puts international law and binding UN resolutions to the test, examining the extent to which states adhere to conventions designed to resolve disputes peacefully.
A call for dialogue and respect for international law
In closing, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its call for Iraq to abide by international agreements and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kuwait. It also urged all parties to prioritize reason, wisdom, and dialogue in resolving disputes, and to address border issues seriously and responsibly in accordance with the principles of international law and good neighborliness, thereby ensuring the stability and security of the region.
