Monday, August 21, 2017

The Growing Saudi - Iraq Relationship Is Raising Alarm Bells In Iran

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud (R) talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, June 19, 2017. (photo by Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS)

Al-Monitor: Saudi Arabia engages Iraq at Iran's dismay

Pictures displaying Iran's Quds Force commander Gen. Qasem Soleimani during the battles with the Islamic State stopped circulating online with the military phase that ended in the liberation of Mosul. The Iranian presence and support for the Iraqi forces were absent in the liberation battles.

Simultaneously, Iraqi officials visited Saudi Arabia and Arab Sunni states that cheer for the Saudi axis. Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Aug. 13-15, with clerics and politicians welcoming him as an Iraqi leader. Prominent Sunni Iraqi cleric Ahmed al-Kubaisi and leading politicians met with Sadr during his visit to the UAE. This was only a few days after his visit at the end of July to Saudi Arabia, where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials had welcomed him.

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WNU Editor: This rapprochement only started a few months ago. It makes me wonder if there is a Trump White House push to make this happen.

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