"You forgot the second part: "But they [the ships] too will come to ruin." — Num 24:24b"
Many translations respected much more than the NIV say this about ALL of Numbers 24:24:
"But ships shall come from the coasts of Cyprus and they shall afflict Asshur and afflict Eber and so shall Amalek UNTIL HE PERISHES."
See this also from Numbers 24:20:
"Amalek was first among the nations but shall be last UNTIL HE PERISHES."
Amalek is a people near the Sinai who attacked Israel as Israel was leaving Egyptian captivity. Amalek like Iraq is an evil nation who will be destroyed just like Iraq.
Regardless of whether you agree or not with the ending, Numbers 24:24 clearly states that Iraq will be destroyed by ships from Cyprus. It will be accomplished as God has spoken in the Bible in Numbers 24:24.
Many destructive and hateful and evil Islamics and AlQaeda and Bin Laden types (like the ones who blew a hole in the side of the USS Cole) would love to attack US and Bristish ships sailing out of Cyprus.
The Arab confederation which comes against Israel with Russia will also be destroyed. See Ezekial 38 and 39.