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Middle East
In this file photo taken on October 30, 2018 Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah gestures upon his arrival at the opening ceremony of the new legislative year in Kuwait City. Photo: Yasser Al-Zayyat / AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi and Kurdish leaders offered their condolences to the State of Kuwait on the passing of late Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Tuesday.
After 14 years of rule, the late monarch died at the age of 91 on Tuesday afternoon, the palace confirmed.
Iraqi President Barham Salih described the leader as a "great brother" loved by nations of the region.
"We knew him for his humanity and his keenness on strong Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations," Salih said in a tweet, describing him as "an example of peace and goodness."
Prime Minister of Iraq Mustafa al-Kadhimi for his part said that the region "lost a leader who worked tirelessly for regional peace and stability, and for the prosperity of the people of Kuwait."
Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohammad al-Halbousi also took to Twitter to express his sadness at the death of the leader, saying that "we lost a supporter of Iraq" and a person "loved by the Iraqis" and "a supporter of Arab and Muslims".
"It is with great sadness that I heard the news of the passing of Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait," reads a statement from Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, offering "condolences" to the new Emir of Kuwait Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, his family and the people of Kuwait on behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said in a tweet that the "loss of his wise leadership, skill as a mediator and personal generosity will be felt throughout the region and around the world."
Iraq’s relations with Kuwait were harmed during Saddam Hussein’s regime. The dictator often referred to Kuwait as the 19th province of Iraq and invaded the energy-rich nation on the Persian Gulf in 1990 following Iraq’s war with Iran in what is known as the Gulf War.
A US-led coalition drove the Iraqis out of Kuwait as Hussein’s forces set Kuwaiti oilfields ablaze on their way out in 1991.
However, since Hussein’s regime fell in 2003 following the US invasion, Iraq and Kuwait have improved relations. Baghdad has been repaying billions of dollars in debts to Kuwait for the Gulf War. Additionally, both countries are working to repatriate bodies of Kuwaitis killed by Iraqi forces during the conflict, which are believed to be buried in mass graves in southern Iraq.
Wealthy Kuwait hosted a conference in February 2018 to raise funds to help rebuild Iraqi cities following the war against the Islamic State (ISIS).
After 14 years of rule, the late monarch died at the age of 91 on Tuesday afternoon, the palace confirmed.
Iraqi President Barham Salih described the leader as a "great brother" loved by nations of the region.
"We knew him for his humanity and his keenness on strong Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations," Salih said in a tweet, describing him as "an example of peace and goodness."
Prime Minister of Iraq Mustafa al-Kadhimi for his part said that the region "lost a leader who worked tirelessly for regional peace and stability, and for the prosperity of the people of Kuwait."
Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohammad al-Halbousi also took to Twitter to express his sadness at the death of the leader, saying that "we lost a supporter of Iraq" and a person "loved by the Iraqis" and "a supporter of Arab and Muslims".
"It is with great sadness that I heard the news of the passing of Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait," reads a statement from Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, offering "condolences" to the new Emir of Kuwait Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, his family and the people of Kuwait on behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said in a tweet that the "loss of his wise leadership, skill as a mediator and personal generosity will be felt throughout the region and around the world."
Iraq’s relations with Kuwait were harmed during Saddam Hussein’s regime. The dictator often referred to Kuwait as the 19th province of Iraq and invaded the energy-rich nation on the Persian Gulf in 1990 following Iraq’s war with Iran in what is known as the Gulf War.
A US-led coalition drove the Iraqis out of Kuwait as Hussein’s forces set Kuwaiti oilfields ablaze on their way out in 1991.
However, since Hussein’s regime fell in 2003 following the US invasion, Iraq and Kuwait have improved relations. Baghdad has been repaying billions of dollars in debts to Kuwait for the Gulf War. Additionally, both countries are working to repatriate bodies of Kuwaitis killed by Iraqi forces during the conflict, which are believed to be buried in mass graves in southern Iraq.
Wealthy Kuwait hosted a conference in February 2018 to raise funds to help rebuild Iraqi cities following the war against the Islamic State (ISIS).
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