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.
Talks were aimed at easing tension over drone attacks Saudi Arabi claimed were launched by Iran-backed militias in Iraq towards energy infrastructure in the kingdom, cross-border strikes and 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, an umbrella group of mainly Iran-backed militias. At least five Iranian military advisers were killed, according to the PMF and Iranian media.
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 after 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”.
“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,” Prince Khalid said.
Riyadh is seeking to contain fallout from the recent attacks and indicate a willingness to work with Baghdad on border security, despite continuing pressure over the Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq.
Lt Gen Al Shammari “reiterated Iraq’s firm position of not threatening neighbouring countries or allowing its territory to be used against any neighbouring state", an Iraqi government statement read.
He stressed Iraq’s “rejection of any violation of its sovereignty, as long as it respects the sovereignty of its neighbours", and affirmed “Iraq’s keenness on the security of the region, and its aspiration to enhance joint co-operation and co-ordination, and consolidate bilateral relations", according to the statement.
The Iraqi delegation discussed with the Saudi side the latest measures to secure the borders after sending army brigades to the desert area, a security official said.
The talks covered the full range of Iraqi-Saudi co-operation in military and defence fields, as well as international border security, security and intelligence co-ordination and regional developments, the statement said.
Both sides emphasised “the importance of continuing co-ordination and co-operation between the two brotherly countries in a way that serves their common interests and achieves the security and stability of the region".
Baghdad is facing pressure to rein in the Iran-backed militias.
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”.
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 to show solidarity with Iran. But they have denied being responsible for 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 Al Humaidan, visited Baghdad in what officials said was an effort to contain the fallout and keep security channels open. Mr Al Humaidan renewed Mr Al Zaidi'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 ways to stop cross-border drone activity, improve air defence co-ordination and increase the sharing of intelligence 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 diplomacy 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 government official.
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.
