Khawr Abd Allah

Khor Abdullah is a tidal channel located in the northern part of the Persian Gulf, situated between Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island and Warba Island on one side, and Iraq’s Al-Faw Peninsula on the other. The channel extends into Iraqi territory, forming Khor Al-Zubair, where the port of Umm Qasr—one of Iraq’s most important commercial ports—is located.

Khor Abdullah
خور عبد الله
Khor Abdullah
Location	Northwest Persian Gulf (between southern Iraq and northern Kuwait)
Group	Estuary
Coordinates	29°59′00″N 48°12′36″E
Type	Estuary
Part of	disputed between Iraq and Kuwait
Primary inflows	Shatt al-Arab
Primary outflows	Persian Gulf
Max. width	17[1]
Surface area	40 km2[1]
Average depth	7 to 14 cm; avg 10 cm[1]
Max. depth	13 to 15 cm[1]
Max. temperature	46°[citation needed]
Min. temperature	0°[citation needed]
Islands	Bubiyan Island, Warbah Island

In 2010, the Iraqi government laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Grand Faw Port on the Iraqi side of the channel.^[2]

Historical background

Khor Abdullah is named after Sheikh Abdullah bin Sabah I, the second ruler of Kuwait, there was no official demarcation of the waterway existed before the Gulf War; maritime boundaries were vague, leading to disputes causing it to split at 1993, Iraqi forces also carried out extensive demining operations in the Creek after the war

Border dispute

According to United Nations Security Council Resolution 833 (1993), the maritime border between Iraq and Kuwait was officially demarcated. The resolution stipulated that Khor Abdullah is to be shared between the two countries and serves as a joint navigational waterway, with access granted to both parties. The resolution was met with domestic opposition in Iraq, with some officials and analysts viewing it as a concession of Iraqi sovereignty over the channel.

Iraqi perspective

The Iraqi government maintains that Khor Abdullah is a vital strategic maritime access point for the country. It underscores the importance of retaining full sovereignty over its ports and surrounding waters. The waterway is considered an integral part of Iraq’s maritime geography, directly linked to the ports of Umm Qasr and Grand Faw.

Kuwaiti perspective

Khor Abdullah is a strategic and sovereign waterway, historically and legally recognized as part of Kuwaiti territory and is linked to the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port.

Current status

Kuwait maintains full sovereignty over most of Khor Abdullah per UN demarcation and Iraq’s withdrawal from the agreement has reignited tensions, especially over port access and sovereignty.

See also

• Iraq–Kuwait border
• Grand Faw Port
• Khor Al Zubair