Could Saudi-Iraqi ties be Key to Defeating IS?

Iraq, in particular, is the country that would bring together the Iranian and Saudi interests, as the two countries are fighting IS on Iraqi territory — Iran with the Popular Mobilization Units and Saudi Arabia with the US-led coalition against IS.

It seems that this strategy is adopted by Saudi Arabia as well. Although its conflict with Iran has escalated, it does not desire that its ties with Iran's allies be programmed within the same context. Rather, it aims to diversify and expand its ties on various bases, in order to preserve the largest extent of its regional interests. Signs indicate this issue has emerged, since Saudi Arabia welcomed Haider al-Abadi's selection to the post of Iraqi prime minister on Aug. 8, 2014.

In the first year of his term, Abadi’s moderate policy encouraged Saudi Arabia to carry on with its policy toward a rapprochement with Iraq. Moreover, the perspective of the religious authorities in Najaf that there is a need to improve the Iraqi-Saudi relations has helped speed up a rapprochement between the two countries

The Iraqi-Saudi rapprochement is an urgent need that does not only serve the interests of the two countries, but it also helps create a balance in the region and strengthen the peace process and stability. It is the interest of the two countries to improve their relationship through security agreements and strategic cooperation agreements in the fight against IS and other extremist groups that pose a threat to both.

Nevertheless, the issue does not stop here. Saudi Arabia, which has a solid economy, is able to truly help Iraq overcome its economic crisis and have a presence in the reconstruction of areas that were liberated from IS, such as Diyala and Tikrit, north of Baghdad. It is also able to open the way for commercial and oil cooperation between the two countries — which are historic neighbors — and share the border, as well as common political, economic, social and cultural interests.

The ongoing incitement to build firm Iraqi-Saudi relations is not a selective choice for politicians in the two countries. Yet it is a realistic necessity and a geographic and cultural fate that cannot be neglected. The 25-year rupture had caused damages, for which the two peoples and the entire region are paying the exorbitant prices today.

(Saudi-Iraq image via Shutterstock)