Khalid bin Salman: Iraq will remain a cherished neighbor to us

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed Saudi-Iraqi relations in the military and defense sectors with Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al-Shamri, director of the office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, who is visiting Riyadh.

Prince Khalid bin Salman wrote on his X account on Thursday, “We discussed regional developments and emphasized the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation between our two countries in a manner that serves our shared interests and achieves the security and stability of the region.”

He affirmed, “Iraq will always remain a cherished neighbor. We are bound to its government and brotherly people by ties of brotherhood, solidarity, and mutual support. The Kingdom will always stand with Iraq to support its security, stability, development, and prosperity, which is in the interest of Iraq and its brotherly people.”

The visit coincided with Iraqi authorities announcing the seizure of more than 20 locally manufactured drones intended for trafficking in the capital, Baghdad, amid tightened security measures to combat the illegal use of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Meanwhile, following Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s grant of a deadline until September 30 for armed factions to relinquish their weapons, two Iraqi political sources told Agence France-Presse that the prime minister had informed political leaders of his readiness for “confrontation” and “clash” with factions insisting on retaining their arms if they refuse to cooperate after the deadline expires.