KUWAIT: Two bodies found by Iraqi authorities are believed to be those of a missing Kuwaiti and his Saudi companion who had disappeared in the western Anbar province, Kuwait’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Salem Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah said on Tuesday. Expressing his “anguish” over the harrowing ordeal, the minister extended his condolences to the families of the victims, saying his ministry is in close contact with Iraqi authorities to uncover the details of the incident.

Sheikh Salem praised the efforts of Iraqi authorities in discovering the fate of the missing individuals in a prompt and timely manner. Hunters from wealthy Gulf states often make trips to Iraq’s southern and western desert in search of hawks. Iraqi security officials had said on Monday an initial investigation showed that one of the victims’ vehicles was attacked by gunmen and contact had been lost with the two.

The desert region is known to be a hiding place for Islamic State militant groups that are still active, the two security sources said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the incident. One police officer told Reuters on condition of anonymity the victims had been in an extensive desert area that is very dangerous because Daesh (Islamic State) is still active there. — Agencies