Iraq welcomed Saudi Arabia’s role in hosting talks between the US and Russia, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said last week. Riyadh also could play a role in helping resolve the Ukraine war, it said.
Baghdad is impressed. It only recently improved its ties with Saudi Arabia. It also helped pave the road to Saudi-Iran reconciliation. Now, it hopes to do more.
Baghdad thanked “the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the talks” between Moscow and Washington. This is an “important step towards enhancing security and peace at the regional and international levels,” it said.
The talks “reaffirms the kingdom’s commitment to supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving international conflicts” and “achieving regional and international stability,” it added.
Iraq's foreign ties to other Middle Eastern countries
Meanwhile, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani during a recent visit to Baghdad. They discussed border security and the fight against drug trafficking, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
“Momeni, who arrived in Baghdad earlier today for a two-day visit at the official invitation of his Iraqi counterpart, Abdul Amir Kamel al-Shammari, was welcomed by... the deputy minister of interior of Iraq [and] the Iranian ambassador to Baghdad,” IRNA reported.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is also planning to visit Baghdad. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein invited Shaibani to Baghdad. He intends to discuss “bilateral relations” and “regional political and security developments,” according to Rudaw news channel, which is based in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region.
“The visit will definitely take place within this week,” Muthanna Amin, a member of the Iraqi parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee, told Rudaw, adding that when he comes, Shaibani is expected to meet with [Sudani, Hussein], and senior security officials to discuss economic, political, and security matters, particularly the issue of Islamic State (ISIS) camps in Syria and the role of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).”
In late January, Iraq hosted Turkish and Syrian officials to discuss regional security. In early February, Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan said they would work jointly to combat ISIS.
This comes as Iraq has said the US-led coalition is wrapping up its war on ISIS.