Iraq's Hizbullah Brigades has relayed a warning against the
construction of a port in southern Kuwait across from Iraq. On July 17, the
brigades, trained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the
project's prime contractor, based in South Korea, could be targeted.
"We are warning the companies working on the Kuwaiti port against
continuing the project," Hizbullah Brigades said. "The Iraqi people will
not forget what the government of Kuwait is doing by building a port to
strangle Iraq economically."
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In Kuwait, parliament has expressed anger over the threats from Iraq.
One leading parliamentarian urged the Gulf Cooperation Council sheikdom to
demonstrate firmness against the country that invaded Kuwait in 1990.
"Ever since the days of the monarchy through the days of the Baath
party, Iraqis have been the same," Kuwaiti parliamentarian Musalam Al
Barak said. "They don't want to acknowledge our borders. We don't need
Maliki's permission to build our port."
The brigades warning marked an escalation in tension between Iraq and
Kuwait. Iraqi parliamentarians have warned that the
Kuwaiti port at Mubarak Al Kabir would hamper the neighboring Iraqi port of
Basra, Middle East Newsline reported.
"This indicates Kuwait's recklessness and mockery of the Iraqi people,"
Iraqi parliamentarian Iskandar Watwat said.
The Mubarak project has been led by South Korea's Hyundai and began in
May. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki has complained that Kuwait
did not inform Baghdad of the project.