Iraqi Charge d’Affaires Reaffirms Commitment to Kuwaiti Security on 36th Anniversary of Invasion

Iraqi Charge d’Affaires Ali Al-Taie stated that his country has formally closed the chapter of its past and underscored Baghdad’s firm commitment to preventing the use of Iraqi territory or airspace to threaten Kuwait’s security—or that of any other Gulf state.

His remarks were delivered as direct messages to Kuwait, timed to coincide with the 36th anniversary of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

In an interview with Kuwait’s Al-Qabas newspaper, Al-Taie described the “new Iraq” as having moved beyond historical divisions and affirmed its adherence to principles of good neighborliness and respect for national sovereignty. He emphasized that Kuwait’s security and stability hold significant importance for Iraq.

“We affirm to the fraternal Kuwaiti people that Iraq remains committed to the principles of good neighborliness,” Al-Taie said. “Relations between our two countries rest on solid foundations of mutual respect and shared interests. Both nations have moved past a painful phase and are now advancing toward a future defined by cooperation and trust.”

Progress Beyond the Legacy of Invasion

When asked whether Iraq has genuinely overcome the legacy of the 1990 invasion, Al-Taie confirmed that substantial steps have been taken to address the consequences of the past. These include building political, economic, and popular cooperation bridges—while stressing that consolidating mutual trust remains an ongoing process requiring sustained dialogue and collaboration.

In response to a question from Al-Qabas on whether Iraq views Kuwait’s security as an integral component of its own national security, Al-Taie replied: “Iraq affirms that regional security is interconnected. Kuwait’s security and stability carry great significance. Bilateral relations are grounded in brotherhood, good neighborliness, and shared interests—alongside full commitment to respecting state sovereignty and rejecting any threat to the sovereignty of either country.”

Outstanding Bilateral Files

Al-Taie noted that among the active files under discussion between the two sides are the completion of maritime boundary demarcation—designed to safeguard the interests of both nations—and the resolution of the issue of Kuwaiti missing persons. The Iraqi government treats this latter file strictly as a humanitarian matter.