Iraq Hands Over Remains of 21 Kuwait Missing Persons Since Gulf War

Kuwait's Embassy in Baghdad received remains of 21 persons belonging to Kuwaiti citizens missing during Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. KUNA
Kuwait's Embassy in Baghdad received remains of 21 persons belonging to Kuwaiti citizens missing during Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. KUNA
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Iraq Hands Over Remains of 21 Kuwait Missing Persons Since Gulf War

Kuwait's Embassy in Baghdad received remains of 21 persons belonging to Kuwaiti citizens missing during Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. KUNA
Kuwait's Embassy in Baghdad received remains of 21 persons belonging to Kuwaiti citizens missing during Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. KUNA

Kuwait's Embassy in Baghdad said it had received Wednesday remains of 21 persons presumably belonging to Kuwaiti citizens missing during Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

The handover of the remains took place near Baghdad International Airport with attendance of representatives of Iraq's Defense Ministry, International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).

"Handing over the remains is part of efforts related to Kuwaiti and third-country prisoners and missing case," Mohammad Al-Wuqayyan, Kuwait's Charge D'Affaires told KUNA.

A tripartite committee and a technical committee chaired by ICRC and have Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, US, Britain and France as members is examining the case.

"According to initial indications, it is believed that the remains belong to Kuwaiti prisoners and missing who were found in the dert of Samawa in southern Iraq," said AI-Wuqayyan.

The remains would undergo DNA tests in Kuwait to verify their identities, he noted.

AI-Wuqayyan thanked the Iraqi government for efforts to address this "humanitarian issue," and for UNAMI for providing logistical support.



GCC: Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland Violates Int’l Law and Somalia’s Sovereignty

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.
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GCC: Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland Violates Int’l Law and Somalia’s Sovereignty

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland region, calling it a dangerous violation of international law and a clear infringement on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

He warned that such a move would undermine stability in the Horn of Africa and fuel tensions, contrary to regional and international efforts for peace, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC’s support for Somalia’s security, stability, sovereignty, and unity, as stated in the final communiqué of the 164th GCC Ministerial Council.

He urged the international community to reject this action and refrain from recognizing any measures that threaten the unity of states or international legitimacy.

On Friday, Israel formally recognized the northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" -- the first country to do so.


Saudi Arabia Affirms Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty, Rejects Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Affirms Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty, Rejects Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Saudi Arabia affirmed full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday.

The statement also rejected Israel’s announcement that it formally recognizes the northern region of Somaliland as an independent state. It stressed that the move violates international law.

Saudi Arabia reiterated its rejection of any attempts to impose parallel entities that undermine the country’s unity, stressing its support for legitimate state institutions and its commitment to preserving the stability of the brotherly Somali people, the statement added.

On Friday, Israel formally recognized the northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" -- the first country to do so.


OIC Condemns Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland

OIC
OIC
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OIC Condemns Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland

OIC
OIC

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned Israel’s recognition of the Somaliland region as an independent state, describing it as a violation of the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

The OIC General Secretariat reaffirmed its full solidarity with Somalia, its steadfast support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its backing of legitimate state institutions, the Saudi Press Agency said on Saturday.

The General Secretariat emphasized the need to uphold the OIC and UN Charters, as well as international law, concerning the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states. It stressed the importance of preserving security, peace, and stability in the Horn of Africa, and rejected any actions that could undermine regional stability.

On Friday, Israel formally recognized the northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" -- the first country to do so.