Kuwait Says to Open Abdali Border Crossing with Iraq

Kuwaiti Prime Minister during his visit to Abdali port on Thursday, December 16, 2021. (KUNA)
Kuwaiti Prime Minister during his visit to Abdali port on Thursday, December 16, 2021. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Says to Open Abdali Border Crossing with Iraq

Kuwaiti Prime Minister during his visit to Abdali port on Thursday, December 16, 2021. (KUNA)
Kuwaiti Prime Minister during his visit to Abdali port on Thursday, December 16, 2021. (KUNA)

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sabah al-Khaled said Abdali border crossing with Iraq will be opened next week to boost economic cooperation, trade exchange and facilitate movement between the two countries.

Al-Khaled made an inspection tour of the northern border facilities. He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Hamad al-Ali and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Dr. Ahmed al-Nasser.

In this context, Head of Iraq’s Border Ports Authority Omar al-Waeli underlined the economic and commercial significance of this border checkpoint for both countries.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Safwan and Abdali border crossings with Kuwait were shut to travelers and trade at both countries’ request in March 2020, amid fears over the spread of coronavirus.

The recent decision will bolster bilateral commercial and economic cooperation, Waeli noted, affirming that both countries welcomed the decision.

Commenting on the importance of the border crossing in the future, Waeli pointed out that Kuwait has one border crossing with Iraq, making it crucial during all times.



Israel Conducts More Ground Raids in Southern Lebanon, Strikes Beirut Suburbs

Rubble is scattered at the site of an Israeli overnight airstrike that targeted a house in the town of Ablah in Lebanon's Bekaa valley on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
Rubble is scattered at the site of an Israeli overnight airstrike that targeted a house in the town of Ablah in Lebanon's Bekaa valley on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
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Israel Conducts More Ground Raids in Southern Lebanon, Strikes Beirut Suburbs

Rubble is scattered at the site of an Israeli overnight airstrike that targeted a house in the town of Ablah in Lebanon's Bekaa valley on October 5, 2024. (AFP)
Rubble is scattered at the site of an Israeli overnight airstrike that targeted a house in the town of Ablah in Lebanon's Bekaa valley on October 5, 2024. (AFP)

The Israeli military said on Saturday that special forces were carrying out ground raids against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, destroying missiles, launchpads, watchtowers and weapons storage facilities.

The military said troops also dismantled tunnel shafts that Hezbollah used to approach the Israeli border.

Israeli airstrikes also hit areas in eastern Lebanon, according to state media. At least six people were killed, according to Lebanon’s state National News Agency (NNA).

Some 1,400 Lebanese, including Hezbollah fighters and civilians, have been killed and some 1.2 million driven from their homes since Israel escalated its strikes in late September aiming to cripple Hezbollah and push it away from the countries’ shared border.

On Tuesday, Israel launched a limited ground operation into southern Lebanon. Nine Israeli troops have been killed in close fighting in the area in the past few days, which is saturated with arms and explosives, the military said.

Beirut’s southern suburbs was hit by 12 Israeli airstrikes early Saturday, including one that badly damaged a large hall Hezbollah has used to hold ceremonies, said NNA.

Later in the day, more strikes hit the area, from which tens of thousands of people have fled over the past two weeks.