For first time in 27 years, a Saudi commercial flight will land in Iraq on Monday
Today, flights between Saudi Arabia and Iraq will resume. Air travel between the two countries was halted 27 years ago in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
Earlier this summer, Baghdad and Riyadh set up a council to “upgrade strategic ties,” which met last week to coordinate the fight against ISIS and rebuild Iraqi territory.
The improved relationship has been pushed by Riyadh, with heavy encouragement coming from Washington. The US views closer alignment between Iraq and Saudi Arabia as beneficial on because it serves to counter an increasingly influential Iran in the Persian Gulf.
The Shi’a dominated Islamic Republic has been helping Baghdad combat ISIS by backing powerful Shi’a militants in the country. With Iraqi elections coming up in May, expect Saudi Arabia to increase funding and investment in its northern neighbour to ensure its interests are maintained by the new government.
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