ALBAWABA- Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met Iraqi security officials in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss defense cooperation, regional developments and closer coordination between the two countries.
The meeting was held with First Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, as part of a high-level Iraqi security delegation that also included the heads of Iraq’s National Intelligence Service, Counter-Terrorism Service and Air Defense Command.
Prince Khalid reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Iraq, describing it as a “dear neighbor” and stressing that the Kingdom would continue to support Iraq’s security, stability, development and prosperity.
The talks focused on issues of mutual security concern, including drone threats, air-defense coordination and intelligence sharing. The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions and recent strains in Saudi-Iraqi relations following attacks involving Iran-aligned armed groups.
In late July, US-Saudi airstrikes reportedly targeted facilities linked to Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces in several Iraqi provinces, following drone attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure that Riyadh attributed to armed groups operating from Iraqi territory. At least 20 fighters were reportedly killed.
The strikes prompted concern in Baghdad, with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi cancelling a planned visit to Saudi Arabia and convening an emergency National Security Council meeting. Some Iraqi factions subsequently warned of possible retaliation against Saudi targets.
Against the backdrop of the wider US-Iran confrontation, Baghdad has sought to prevent Iraqi territory from being used to attack neighboring states while pursuing greater state control over armed groups.
