Iraq says Kuwait freed detained fishermen, returned body after fatal shooting

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Foreign Ministry said Kuwaiti authorities released the detained crew of an Iraqi fishing boat and handed over the body of a fisherman killed when shots were fired at the vessel in Kuwaiti waters on July 3, 2026. The ministry said the incident had been tracked from the outset through the Iraqi Embassy in Baghdad and other relevant bodies, and that diplomatic steps were launched immediately. Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein issued urgent instructions to concerned departments on July 5 after receiving initial information from Kuwait, ordering contact with Kuwaiti officials to clarify the circumstances, the ministry said. During a visit to Kuwait on July 8, Hussein raised the case with Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Youssef. National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Abody and Basra Governor Asad Al-Aydani also attended the meeting. The ministry said the Kuwaiti side shared footage of the incident and reported that the shooting occurred at night and the death was not intentional. Iraq's requests for the release of the detained fishermen and the repatriation of the body were met with an immediate positive response from Kuwaiti authorities, and the necessary documents were prepared by the Iraqi Embassy. The ministry said it would continue to follow the results of the investigation and take the diplomatic steps required to protect the rights of Iraqi citizens. No further details were immediately available.