BASRA FIGHTING PROMPTS GOK TO HEIGHTEN ALERT AT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000345

SIPDIS

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DEPT FOR NEA/ARP AND NEA/I

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2018
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD SMIG KU IZ
SUBJECT: BASRA FIGHTING PROMPTS GOK TO HEIGHTEN ALERT AT
BORDER

Classified By: CDA Misenheimer for reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: On March 25, the GOK heightened its alert
along the northern border with Iraq. The GOK has increased
MOI patrols of the area and placed a Kuwait Armed Forces
reconnaissance battalion on alert. These moves come in
response to renewed fighting between the GOI and armed
militias in southern Iraq. The GOK has long feared a
spillover of violence and/or refugees from this area. U.S.
military traffic and MNF-I fuel deliveries continue
unimpeded. End summary.


2. (C) DAO sources report that, on March 25, the GOK
initiated 24-hour MOI patrols along its northern border with
Iraq. In addition, it has placed the Kuwait Armed Forces'
10th reconnaissance battalion on alert and assigned one
company from this unit as a quick reaction force to handle
any border issues that may arise. Post's Customs Attache
reports that Iraq closed the Safwan (Iraq) / Abdali (Kuwait)
border crossing on March 25, and a Kuwaiti MOD source says
the GOK followed suit. However, other reports indicate the
GOK has only closed this crossing to civilian/commercial
traffic. Further west, Kuwait's Khabari crossing remains
open to U.S. military traffic, and MNF-I fuel deliveries
continue unimpeded.


3. (C) The GOK has long feared the potential spillover
effects of violence in southern Iraq and is unwilling/unable
to handle an influx of Iraqi refugees. Kuwait's PM
reiterated this point in a March 25 meeting with DHS
Secretary Chertoff (septel),noting that the GOK would be

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maintaining tight border security, and that it had neither
the personnel nor the infrastructure to handle a surge of
Iraqi refugees. He also expressed GOK concern about the
possibility of armed militias infiltrating Kuwait. Later
that day, FM Dr. Mohammad Al Sabah said that Kuwait has
installed observation posts every three kilometers along its
border with Iraq, and that MOI border guards utilize infrared
sights with an effective range of five kilometers. On March
24, Secretary Chertoff toured the entire Iraq/Kuwait border
area - from Khabari Crossing to the Khor Abdallah - via
helicopter with Embassy and GOK officials.


4. (U) Multiple Arab-language dailies and one
English-language daily carried this story on March 27.
However, coverage has been light, and Kuwaiti public opinion
appears subdued thus far.

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For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s

Visit Kuwait's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/
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Misenheimer