On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister (PM) Mustafa Al-Kadhimi met with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) in Riyadh, in a bid to strengthen relations between the two sides. The meeting was part of Al-Kadhimi’s first visit to the Kingdom since assuming office last year. A day earlier, on Wednesday, the Iraqi PM held talks with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, when he said that Iraq will never become a launchpad for attacks on Saudi Arabia, in what can be understood as a reference to Iranian proxy groups in the region.
The countries stressed the importance of “joint cooperation and coordination in facing the threat of extremism and terrorism” and agreed to continue supporting Iraq’s efforts “in cooperation with Global Coalition to Defeat the remains of ISIS.” The two sides also agreed to “intensify cooperation” in regional and international arenas with regard to regional issues and called for the preservation of regional security and stability by urging all “neighbouring countries” to adhere to the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of others. In this context, Al-Kadhimi affirmed his country’s support for the Saudi peace initiative on Yemen.
The PM’s remarks on preventing attacks against Saudi Arabia from Iraqi soil came amidst the Kingdom facing a barrage of drone and rocket attacks, especially from the Houthi rebels in Yemen. In January this year, Saudi Arabia thwarted a drone attack on the royal palace in Riyadh, which was launched from Iraq by an Iranian-backed group. Al-Kadhimi, on the other hand, has maintained that the attack was not launched from Iraq.
Kadhimi’s trip is particularly significant, as it comes after the Saudis decided to open the Arar land border crossing with Iraq last year, for the first time since Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The move was seen as Riyadh wooing Baghdad to enter its fold, given its concerns about rising Iranian influence in its neighbourhood. Saudi’s involvement in the Yemeni war (against Iran-backed Houthi rebels) was also borne out of this reasoning.
Apart from the discussions on security, both sides also agreed to establish significant economic as well as trade cooperation and signed five MoUs in this regard. A joint Saudi-Iraqi fund, with an estimated capital of $3 billion, was set up “as a contribution from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in promoting investment in economic fields in the Republic of Iraq.” Agreements were also signed in the fields of trade, energy, power, investment, and diplomacy.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of the visit and discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations “in light of the strong and serious will of both countries to strengthen the frameworks of mutual cooperation.” The Saudi Press Agency praised Al-Kadhimi’s visit by saying that it affirmed “the keenness of the leaderships to further promote and strengthen cooperation.”
PM Kadhimi Says Iraq “Will Not Allow Any Attack” on Saudi Arabia During Riyadh Trip
The trip comes after Saudi Arabia decided to open the Arar land border crossing with Iraq last year, for the first time since Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
April 2, 2021
Iraqi PM Mustafa Al-Kadhimi met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday SOURCE: SAUDI PRESS AGENCY