Saudi Defence Minister assures visiting Iraqi delegation of Riyadh’s support
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman assured Iraq of the kingdom’s support during a visit by a high-level Iraqi security delegation on Thursday for talks aimed at easing tensions over alleged drone attacks by Iran-backed militias, cross-border strikes, and to discuss broader security co-operation.
The visit comes nearly two weeks after US and Saudi strikes in Iraq killed at least 20 fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella group of mainly Iran-backed militias. At least five Iranian military advisers were killed, according to the PMF and Iranian media. The strikes followed a series of drone attacks on Saudi territory that the Saudi government said had been launched from Iraq.
The Iraqi delegation was led by Lt Gen Abdul Amir Al Shammari, director of the commander-in-chief’s office. He was accompanied by Hamid Al Shatri, head of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, Lt Gen Muhanad Al Asadi, commander of air defence, and Lt Gen Zaid Hawshi, head of the counter-terrorism service, Iraqi state media said,
The two sides reviewed military and defence co-operation and regional developments, underlining the need to sustain co-ordination to protect shared interests and regional stability, according to the Iraq News Agency.
Prince Khalid struck a conciliatory tone in a post on X following the meeting, saying Saudi Arabia “will always stand with Iraq to support its security, stability, development and prosperity”.
He stressed “the importance of continuing co-ordination and co-operation between our two countries in a way that serves our common interests and achieves the security and stability of the region”.
He added: “Iraq will remain a dear neighbour to us, and we are bound to its government and brotherly people by ties of brotherhood, solidarity and mutual support.”
The remarks come as Riyadh seeks to contain fallout from the recent attacks and signal a willingness to work with Baghdad on border security despite continuing pressure over Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq.
Earlier, an Iraqi government statement said the delegation would discuss “a number of security files of mutual interest with the Saudi side, including the drones file, as well as ways to enhance security co-ordination and co-operation between the two countries”.
Tension spiked recently after Iran-backed militias in Iraq were accused by Saudi Arabia of launching drone attacks towards energy infrastructure in the kingdom, prompting joint US-Saudi air strikes in response.
Since the outbreak of the Iran war in late February, pro-Tehran armed factions have claimed drone attacks against US forces in Iraq and the wider region, including Saudi Arabia, to show solidarity with Iran. However, they have denied the attacks on Saudi energy plants.
The July 29 strikes brought sharp condemnation from the Iraqi government and delayed a planned visit by Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi to Riyadh, which was scheduled for the day after.
Last week, Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief, Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan, visited Baghdad in what officials described as an effort to contain the fallout and keep security channels open. Mr Al Humaidan renewed the Iraqi PM’s invitation to visit Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly warned that attacks launched from Iraqi soil will not be tolerated, while Iraqi officials have said they are working to prevent armed groups from dragging the country into a regional confrontation.
A government official told The National that Thursday’s talks will focus on mechanisms to stop cross-border drone activity, improve air defence co-ordination and expand intelligence sharing between the two neighbours.
The presence of the intelligence chief and counter-terrorism chief on the Iraqi side signals that Iraq wants to address both the militia activity and broader threats along the border.
The visit also aims to reset the diplomatic track after Mr Al Zaidi’s visit was delayed. The Prime Minister is still expected to travel to Riyadh when security understandings are in place, according to the official, who is familiar with the planning.
With the US-led coalition preparing to scale back its presence in Iraq by September 30, both Baghdad and Riyadh have an interest in stabilising the border and preventing Iraqi territory from becoming a launchpad for regional attacks.
The outcome of this week’s meeting will probably determine whether relations can move past the latest crisis – or whether drone attacks and retaliatory strikes continue to define them.