Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zeydi met with Saudi General Intelligence Chief Khalid bin Ali al-Humaidan and his accompanying delegation in Baghdad on Friday. Al-Humaidan conveyed a message from the Saudi leadership inviting Zeydi to Riyadh.
The main focus of the meeting in Baghdad was strengthening coordination and cooperation between Iraq and Saudi Arabia in response to security developments in the region.
Zeydi said Iraq placed importance on consolidating cooperation with Saudi Arabia on the basis of shared interests. The Iraqi prime minister said this approach would contribute to supporting regional security and stability.
Reiterating Iraq’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty and the interests of its people, Zeydi said the country’s territory would not be allowed to serve as a launch point for actions or activities that harm another country.
Baghdad investigates attack allegations
Zeydi’s remarks came after Saudi Arabia announced that unmanned aerial vehicles allegedly launched from Iraqi territory had targeted oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia alleged that the actions were carried out by Iran-linked militias.
The Iraqi prime minister ordered security agencies to investigate the information conveyed by Riyadh. Zeydi said legal action would be taken against those found responsible and stated that Iraqi territory would not be allowed to be used for attacks against neighboring countries.
Zeydi said this position was adopted on the basis of constitutional responsibilities, the principles of good neighborliness and respect for the sovereignty of states. He also pointed to Iraq’s obligations regarding regional security.
The two sides also agreed to maintain security coordination and information sharing among the relevant institutions to strengthen cooperation against security challenges and reduce the risk of tensions in the region.
Security tensions in Iraq
Security tensions in the region have increased in recent days. Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Commission said airstrikes by the United States and Saudi Arabia had targeted its headquarters in seven provinces.
The commission said 20 of its members were killed and 32 were wounded in the attacks.
