Iraq’s Al-Shammari visits Riyadh to meet Saudi Defense Minister

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — A top Iraqi security team has traveled to Riyadh for meetings with Saudi Arabia’s leadership, as Baghdad and the Kingdom work to improve security and military cooperation after weeks of heightened tensions in Iraq involving Iran-backed militias. First Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Thursday to discuss military cooperation, regional developments, and increased coordination between the two nations. According to reports from the visit, the conversations included cross-border drone concerns, air defense, and intelligence collaboration. The conference is especially significant in light of the combined US-Saudi attacks on Iran-linked militia locations in Iraq on July 29. Washington and Riyadh said the operation targeted Iran-backed terrorists’ weapons and logistical facilities in response to a series of drone assaults on Saudi oil installations that they said originated in Iraqi territory. The strikes drastically escalated tensions between Baghdad and Riyadh, highlighting the Iraqi government’s problems in preventing armed groups from exploiting its territory to target neighboring nations. Thursday’s visit indicates that both parties are now attempting to move beyond that conflict via direct military and intelligence collaboration. Prince Khalid underlined Saudi Arabia’s commitment to Iraq’s security, stability, and economic growth, identifying it as an essential neighbor with whom the Kingdom has strong political and social relations. The meetings in Riyadh follow Saudi intelligence head Khalid bin Ali al-Humaidan’s visit to Baghdad last week, during which he met with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and reiterated an offer for the Iraqi leader to visit Saudi Arabia. Baghdad’s security cooperation with Riyadh has grown more vital as the government seeks to prevent Iran-backed militias from drawing Iraq into a larger regional conflict. Al-Zaidi has frequently said that Iraqi soil should not be used to attack other nations and has stepped up efforts for weaponry to be put solely under state control. The most recent Iraqi trip to Riyadh symbolizes more than just normal defense diplomacy. It is part of a joint effort by Baghdad and Saudi Arabia to restore security trust after the July escalation and prevent militia activities from dragging the two neighboring nations into conflict. The post Iraq’s Al-Shammari visits Riyadh to meet Saudi Defense Minister appeared first on Iraqi News.