Kuwait condemns attack on its consulate in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Kuwait's Foreign Ministry condemned attacks on the country's consulate in Baghdad and called on the Iraqi government to take decisive steps to hold those responsible accountable. In a written statement, the ministry said the actions targeting the consulate building were unacceptable and amounted to a clear violation of Article 31 of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The statement stressed that urgent and decisive measures were needed to prevent a recurrence, despite the Iraqi government's efforts on the matter. Kuwait reiterated the importance of ensuring the safety of its diplomatic and consular missions and personnel in Baghdad. The attacks followed a protest outside the Kuwaiti consulate in southern Baghdad on Sunday, demonstrators denounced the killing of an Iraqi fisherman in what they said was gunfire by Kuwaiti coastguard units. Baghdad Governor Ali Falih al-Ziyadi directed the Foreign Ministry, the Chief of Staff and relevant security bodies to follow up on the investigation into the fisherman's death, pursue legal proceedings and take measures to prevent similar incidents.