Iraq and Saudi Arabia reopen border after 30 years of closure

A truck with humanitarian aid from Saudi Arabia reaches Iraq, after the reopening of the border between the two countries, in Arar, November 18, 2020 © Maher Nazeh, REUTERS

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2 min

After 30 years of closure due to the first Gulf War, the main border crossing between Iraq and Saudi Arabia has now reopened.

While officials from these two countries hope the reopening will strengthen their trade partnership, groups close to Iran, with immense influence in Baghdad, have criticized the move.

But as soon as the opening was announced, lines of trucks were waiting on both sides of the border.

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With our correspondent in Baghdad,

Lucie Wassermann

It is one more step in the warming of Iraqi-Saudi relations.

Until now, the Arar border post, bordered to the west by Jordan and to the south by Saudi Arabia, had only opened to let Iraqi pilgrims pass.

By announcing its reopening to trade, officials intend to write a new page in relations between the two countries.

Long enemies, Baghdad and Riyadh had cut their diplomatic relations in 1990, during the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein, and the consequent Gulf War.

It was not

until 2015 that the dialogue was reestablished

.

Today,

the Saudi kingdom intends to invest more in Iraq

.

And on the Baghdad side, the new government seems determined to

accept this outstretched hand

.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazimi

is also a personal friend of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salman (MBS) and has made no secret of his desire to get closer to the kingdom.

At the risk of angering his great Iranian godfather

, whose influence

extends to all spheres of power in Iraq

.

Armed groups close to Tehran quickly criticized the reopening of the border post.

But the Prime Minister wants to be final and even intends to sign other agreements with Saudi Arabia in the future.

►

See also

: How Iran is extending its grip on the Iraqi economy

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  • Iraq

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Diplomacy

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