Kuwait condemns storming of its Basra consulate, holds Iraq ‘fully responsible’

BASRA — Kuwait condemned the storming and vandalism of its consulate in Basra overnight, holding the Iraqi government fully responsible and demanding immediate accountability, after protesters breached the compound, removed the Kuwaiti flag and raised Iraqi flags and Kataib Hezbollah banners in its place.

“Kuwait strongly condemns and denounces, in the strongest terms,” the attack, its Foreign Ministry said, describing it as “a serious and unacceptable violation of diplomatic norms and conventions” and “a grave and flagrant breach” of Iraq’s international obligations. Kuwait said it holds Baghdad “fully and directly responsible” for the attack and for any failure to protect diplomatic missions on its territory, and called for “immediate and decisive” action to hold all those involved accountable and prevent a recurrence.

Kuwait warned that continued violations “would negatively affect bilateral relations and undermine the foundations of mutual trust,” and said it “will not hesitate to take necessary steps” to protect its interests and missions in accordance with international law. The ministry also stressed that Kuwait “is not a party to any regional or international conflict” and has not allowed its territory to be used to launch attacks against any country.

A 964media correspondent said security forces initially withdrew from the area as protesters entered the compound. Iraqi forces later regained control of the consulate building after the protesters withdrew.

The storming followed a strike on a farm near the Iraq-Kuwait border that a security source told 964media killed a Kataib Hezbollah commander and two others, while destroying a radar system and rocket launch platform at the site. Some social media accounts described the victims as a civilian family, but no official confirmation has been issued by the group or government authorities.

The incident adds to a deteriorating pattern in Iraq-Kuwait relations. Kuwait summoned Iraq’s chargé d’affaires twice in March over attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Kuwaiti territory, with Baghdad each time reiterating its rejection of the use of Iraqi soil to launch cross-border strikes. On March 9, Iraq’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Hussein Bahr al-Uloom told Kuwait’s ambassador that Baghdad is taking measures to pursue those responsible — assurances that have so far not prevented the attacks or, now, the breach of Kuwait’s consulate.