Manama: Kuwait and Iraq have dismissed reports that an aircraft of the Kuwaiti Air Force violated the Iraqi air space over Safwan near the borders between the two countries.
In a statement, the Kuwaiti army denied the reports, saying that a review of the timings, radar data and aircraft codes determined that there wasn’t any violation of the Iraqi airspace by any of its aircraft at any time.
The army affirmed its full commitment to international law, conventions and covenants regarding respect for the sovereignty of states and adherence to the principles of good neighbourliness, the statement, carried by Kuwait News Agency on Wednesday, said.
A statement issued by the Joint Operations in Iraq said that the reports regarding Kuwaiti violation of Iraqi airspace were groundless and urged caution in issuing such reports without checking with the concerned authorities.
“The commanders of the Joint Operations deny the reports circulated by some media that a Kuwaiti plane violated the Iraqi airspace over Safwan and flew at a low altitude,” the statement said.
Reports in Iraq claimed that a Kuwaiti military plane flew seven kilometres into Iraq over Safwan in Basra governorate and broke the sound barrier, terrifying residents in the area.
According to the reports, authorities in Safwan wanted the Kuwaiti government to offer an apology to the residents of the area for scaring them.
Kuwait is currently hosting military drills, “Eagles Resolve 2017”, with the participation of troops from the Gulf Peninsula Shield Force, the military arm of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
US troops are also taking part in the military manoeuvres launched on March 21 and scheduled to end on April 10.
The Peninsula Shield Force was established during the third GCC summit in Manama in 1982.
It set up its headquarters close to the city of Hafar Al Batin in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia in 1985.
The GCC, established in 1981, comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
