Saudi Defense Minister Seeks to Strengthen Ties with Iraq Amid Regional Tensions

Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman has signaled an effort to strengthen bilateral ties with Iraq, describing it as a 'cherished neighbor' following deadly US-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed targets in Iraq last month.

The meeting between Bin Salman and Iraqi security official Abdul Amir Al-Shammari marked the first publicly announced visit by an Iraqi security official to Saudi Arabia since Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's planned trip was canceled after the strikes.

The attacks, which Riyadh said were carried out in response to drone threats against Saudi oil facilities, further strained relations between Baghdad and Riyadh. The US-Saudi strikes killed 20 militants, including five Iranians, according to officials from Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).