Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with a high-ranking Iraqi security delegation led by General Abdul Ameer Al-Shammari in Riyadh on Thursday to discuss military and security cooperation between the two nations and regional developments.
Prince Khalid bin Salman stated that Iraq will remain a "dear neighbor" to Saudi Arabia, stressing the deep ties binding Saudi Arabia with the Iraqi government and people. He reaffirmed Riyadh’s support for Iraq’s security and stability, growth, and prosperity, serving the interests of its people.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the two sides reviewed Saudi-Iraqi relations in military and defense fields during the meeting, along with discussing regional developments. They emphasized the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation that serves mutual interests and contributes to enhancing regional security and stability.
The meeting was attended by Saudi officials, including General Intelligence Director Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Commander of Joint Forces General Fahd bin Hamad Al-Sulami, and Defense Intelligence Advisor Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.
The Iraqi delegation included senior security and military officials, such as the Director of Intelligence Hamid Al-Shatri, Counter-Terrorism Service Head General Zaid Hoshi Al-Mousawi, and Air Defense Commander General Mohannad Al-Asadi.
The Iraqi security delegation arrived in Riyadh on Thursday to engage in discussions about several security files and mutual issues of interest, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The agency noted that talks addressed the issue of drones, along with ways to enhance security coordination and cooperation between Baghdad and Riyadh amid regional developments that pose increasing challenges to both nations' security.
This visit by the Iraqi delegation follows reciprocal security discussions after a visit by Saudi Intelligence Chief Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan to Iraq, where he discussed security developments and ways to enhance joint coordination with the Iraqi Prime Minister.
During the meeting, the Iraqi side expressed keenness to strengthen cooperative relations with Saudi Arabia and reiterated its stance against using Iraqi lands as a launchpad for activities targeting other countries.
The Saudi official also conveyed a message from Saudi leadership renewing an invitation for the Iraqi Prime Minister to visit Riyadh, coinciding with discussions around regional developments and mechanisms to strengthen security cooperation between the two nations.
The discussions hold additional significance in light of recent security tensions, particularly following drone attacks attributed to Iranian-backed groups that allegedly launched from Iraqi territory targeting Saudi oil facilities, prompting Riyadh to initiate military measures in coordination with the US Central Command.
In this context, addressing the drone issue at the Riyadh talks table is highlighted as both nations seek to strengthen coordination mechanisms and prevent the use of Iraqi territory for attacks that threaten Saudi security, while trying to maintain a high level of political and security cooperation amid regional tensions.