Iraqi Foreign Minister Hussein departs for Kuwait after new government takes office

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein departed for Kuwait on Wednesday afternoon, making his first official visit to a Gulf country since the new government of Prime Minister Ali al-Zawadi took office. In a post on X, Hussein said his delegation included the national security adviser, the governor of Basra and senior officials from the Foreign Ministry. He said the trip aimed to strengthen ties with Kuwait and advance the interests of the two peoples. Relations between Iraq and Kuwait have periodically strained since February 28, following US-Israeli strikes targeting Iran. According to Kuwait's Defense Ministry, attacks launched from Iraqi territory during that period hit facilities inside Kuwait. The two neighbors have also sparred over separate issues, including the detention of Iraqi fishermen by Kuwaiti coast guard personnel, the demarcation of their maritime border and a joint navigation agreement. No further details on the length of the visit or the agenda were immediately available.