Since 1990, for the first time, Iraq and Saudi Arabia will re-open the Arar Border crossing for trade. This border was closed after the countries cut ties following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. This will be termed as a great start for further future cooperation between both the nations. This announcement follows a decision by the Saudi cabinet to establish a joint trade commission with Iraq.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are both wooing their northern neighbour in an effort to halt the growing regional influence of arch-foe Iran.
Officials of both the nations spoke to the Iraqi pilgrims, who for the past 27 years have access to the crossing only once annually during the Haj season in Mecca.
The governor of Iraq’s southwestern Anbar province, whose staff was on hand for the ceremonies, said the Iraqi government had deployed troops to protect the desert route leading to Arar and called its opening a “significant move” to boost ties.
Saudi Arabia has agreed to donate $10 million in aid to the Iraqi government and study possible investments in Shi’ite regions of southern Iraq.
Sadr commands a large following among the urban poor of Baghdad and southern Iraq and is one of few Iraqi Shi’ite leaders to keep some distance from Tehran.
The Saudi-Iraqi rapprochement extends back to 2015 when Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad following a 25-year break.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir visited Baghdad in February, and the two countries announced in June they would set up a coordination council to upgrade ties.