Ali Zaidi to Discuss Security, Regional Issues in Saudi Arabia
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zaidi is expected to visit Saudi Arabia on Oct. 14 and later Kuwait, with security, political and economic issues on the agenda.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zaidi is expected to visit Saudi Arabia and Kuwait this week, with security, political and economic issues set to feature in talks as Baghdad and Riyadh seek to move beyond tensions that disrupted relations earlier this year.
According to information obtained by Kurdistan24, Zaidi is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Oct. 14, where he will meet senior Saudi officials.
The discussions are expected to cover issues of mutual interest as well as the broader regional situation.
Zaidi is also expected to discuss investigations related to attacks on Saudi territory, before traveling to Kuwait following the conclusion of his engagements in Saudi Arabia.
The planned trip marks a revival of high-level diplomatic contacts after an earlier Saudi visit was cancelled amid a period of heightened tension.
Zaidi had previously been scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on July 29.
That visit was called off after coordinated U.S.-Saudi strikes targeted Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters and positions belonging to several armed groups in Iraq.
The strikes were carried out in response to drone attacks by Iraqi armed groups against Saudi facilities, according to the supplied information.
The episode placed additional strain on relations between Baghdad and Riyadh and led to the suspension of preparations for Zaidi's visit.
In the period that followed, domestic and international mediation efforts helped ease tensions to some extent, allowing preparations for a renewed visit to begin.
The Saudi trip is therefore expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to return several outstanding files to direct discussion.
Security matters are likely to be prominent, particularly investigations connected to attacks on Saudi territory.
Economic and political relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia are also expected to form part of the talks.
Zaidi's subsequent visit to Kuwait will extend the regional diplomatic tour, although the supplied information did not provide details on his planned meetings or agenda there.
The two-country trip comes as Iraq seeks to manage relations with neighboring Gulf states amid continuing regional security tensions.
If the Saudi visit proceeds as scheduled, it will also mark a return to direct engagement after the July cancellation interrupted earlier efforts to strengthen ties between Baghdad and Riyadh.