ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kuwaiti fishing boats were seen crossing into Iraqi territorial waters near the Khor Abdullah area in Basra province, renewing maritime tensions between Iraq and Kuwait.

Iraqi naval patrols tried to make contact with the boats and asked them to return to Kuwaiti waters, but the fishermen reportedly did not respond. The Iraqi officer in charge of the area filed a report to Baghdad for the issue to be handled through official government channels, according to security sources.

Public frustration grows in Basra

While such incidents are not new in the region, the lack of response from the Kuwaiti side has sparked fresh anger among residents in Basra, who view the incident as a sign of disrespect for Iraq’s territorial sovereignty.

“This incident is part of a series of repeated maritime violations happening in the waters of Khor Abdullah,” Badran al-Tamimi, head of the Fishermen’s Association in Basra, told The New Region.

“What is different now is that people in Basra are more vocal,” he added. “They are sharing photos and videos of these violations to show what is really happening.”

Routine incidents, but no clear borders

An Iraqi Navy source, who requested anonymity, told The New Region that such incidents are common due to natural conditions and the lack of fixed maritime boundaries in the area.

“These incidents are not unusual,” the source said. “Sea currents and winds often push fishing boats from both Iraq and Kuwait across the border.”

He noted that the Iraqi and Kuwaiti naval forces have ongoing communication and coordination to manage these situations and prevent conflict.

“The waters in Khor Abdullah are shallow and muddy,” he added. “They aren’t suitable for military activity, but they are very important for fishing.”

Fishermen say they are being targeted

Falah al-Tamimi, an Iraqi fisherman who was near the scene, said he felt threatened even though he was fishing within Iraqi waters.

“We were out at sea, and there was only about one kilometer between us and the Kuwaiti boats,” he said. “My young sons were with me. We were clearly in Iraqi territory. We did not cross the border or break any rules. We were just trying to earn a living.”

He said he felt unfairly targeted and called for officials to focus on the real causes of tension in the region.

“Instead of coming after us, they should deal with the political and business disputes they have on their side,” Tamimi said. “We are just fishermen, not part of any conflict.”

Tamimi also mentioned the growing presence of a Kuwaiti investment company in the area, which he said has contributed to rising tension.

“Every day, they send a drone to film the area,” he said. “Then suddenly the intelligence services arrive. How long will we be the ones paying the price for conflicts we have nothing to do with?”