A British tank seen in Kuwait in 1991. Reuters file photo
Iraq has paid its last war reparations to Kuwait more than 30 years since the invasion of the Gulf country by Saddam Hussein, officials said Thursday.
On August 2, 1990, Hussein ordered his army to invade Kuwait, before being pushed back seven months later by a US-led coalition.
"Iraq has closed the file of the Kuwait war reparations, having paid the last of its dues," Mozher Saleh, the prime minister's economic advisor, was quoted as saying by the official Iraqi News Agency.
In total, Iraq has paid $52.4 billion in reparations, he said.
"This is not a small amount," he added. "The sum would have been enough to construct an electricity network that would have served Iraq for many years."
Despite being rich in hydrocarbons, Iraq's electricity infrastructure has suffered from years of negligence and successive wars, facing regular power cuts, AFP reported.
Saleh said he hoped that the slice of budget previously allocated for reparations would now be directed to development projects.
The central bank announced Tuesday the payment of the final portion of the reparations, valued at $44 million.
The payments were suspended in 2014 when ISIS took over large swathes of Iraq but were resumed in 2018, following the group's defeat.
Funds for the reparations come from a five percent tax levied on sales of Iraq's petroleum and petroleum products.
The compensation is distributed by a UN agency to claimants who suffered losses or damages as a result of the invasion.
Iranian Attacks on Gulf Intensify, Kuwait Bears Brunt
Smoke rises near Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike targeted a fuel depot. (File photo/AFP)
Iranian attacks on Gulf states have intensified sharply in recent days, with Kuwait bearing the brunt as fighting between the United States and Iran resumed and tensions rose in the Strait of Hormuz.
From the renewed escalation last Wednesday through early Thursday, Kuwaiti forces detected about 77 hostile drones and 18 missiles in the country’s airspace, according to an Asharq Al-Awsat tally.
The missiles included eight ballistic missiles and 10 cruise missiles. Kuwaiti forces intercepted or otherwise dealt with the threats.
The latest attacks stood out for causing casualties and damage.
Kuwait said several Iranian strikes targeted vital facilities and scattered debris across multiple locations, causing material damage and injuring six people, including four members of the Kuwaiti armed forces.
Three land border posts in northern Kuwait were also attacked, causing further damage and one injury.
Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sabah checks on the health condition of those injured as a result of the Iranian aggression. KUNA
Kuwait’s consulate general in the southern Iraqi city of Basra was targeted again on Monday.
Kuwait condemned the attack and acknowledged the Iraqi government’s efforts to confront such incidents. It also called for “immediate and decisive” action to hold those responsible accountable and prevent a recurrence.
The continued attacks drew broad condemnation and expressions of solidarity from Gulf states.
Calls to strike back at launch sites
Academic and political researcher Ayed al-Manaa said Gulf Cooperation Council states should prepare for further Iranian retaliation following US attacks.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, al-Manaa urged Gulf states to respond to the sources of fire rather than remain on the defensive.
He said the escalation showed that Tehran had gone too far, particularly during the 40-day war.
Iran, he added, could retaliate against nearby US forces or Israel instead of targeting Gulf states.
Al-Manaa said Iran’s conduct reflected a lack of respect for Gulf sovereignty and a disregard for fraternal ties, neighborly relations and shared religious bonds.
Gulf states are peaceful countries that maintain normal relations, trade and neighborly ties with Iran, he said.
Tehran had treated that position with disdain, he added, making it necessary for Gulf states to raise their level of readiness and prepare to confront and respond to further attacks.
Fragile truce, vague memorandum
Political analyst Khaled al-Habbas said the renewed fighting between Washington and Tehran, and the failure of the ceasefire to hold, showed that the memorandum of understanding reached in mid-June was broad and highly ambiguous.
He said the uncertainty was most evident in provisions dealing with the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions on Tehran and its frozen assets.
Al-Habbas said other factors were also driving the crisis.
These included “the deep hostility and mistrust between the two sides, the aggressive nature of the Iranian regime and the sharp divisions between hardline leaders within the Revolutionary Guards and other officials who support negotiations with the United States.”
Doubts over Iran’s commitment to a deal
“The continuation of Iranian aggression against some Gulf states, alongside attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, indicates that the Iranian side is not serious about reaching a final agreement,” al-Habbas said.
He said the negotiations also faced major obstacles, while the ceasefire remained fragile.
Tension and instability would therefore continue to define the regional landscape for now, he added.
Al-Habbas did not rule out further exchanges of military action in the region, although he said both sides appeared keen to avoid a return to full-scale war.
“The danger remains, however, and all possibilities are still open. This is why Gulf states are following these developments with concern,” he said.
He praised Gulf states for successfully confronting Iranian attacks while continuing to support diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to war and the risks it would pose to the region.
Al-Habbas called for greater regional and international diplomatic pressure on Iran to isolate it politically and expose what he described as its aggression.
He said Iran should be held responsible for the damage caused by “this blatant aggression,” while Gulf states retained the right to defend themselves at a time and place of their choosing.
Saudi Arabia: Iranian Attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan Threaten Regional Securityhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5296788-saudi-arabia-iranian-attacks-kuwait-bahrain-and-jordan-threaten-regional-security
Saudi Arabia: Iranian Attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan Threaten Regional Security
Kuwait City. (KUNA)
Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Iran's continued "unjustified attacks" on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, reaffirming its full support for the measures taken by the three countries in response to what it described as Iran's blatant attacks.
Kuwaiti civil defense personnel work to contain a fire at Kuwait International Airport following the Iranian attack on fuel storage tanks. (File photo: KUNA)
In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its condemnation of what it described as Iran's actions threatening regional security and stability and violating the principles of international law and good-neighborliness.
It stressed the importance of an immediate halt to all forms of military escalation and called for a return to dialogue and the resolution of disputes through diplomatic means.
Saudi Minister of Defense Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatarhttps://english.aawsat.com/gulf/5296757-saudi-minister-defense-offers-condolences-emir-qatar
Saudi Minister of Defense Offers Condolences to Emir of Qatar
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani - AAWSAT
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz made a phone call on Thursday to Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
During the call, the minister expressed his condolences and sympathy to the amir over the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
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