Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi canceled his official visit to Saudi Arabia, planned for Thursday, citing recent security developments, the Qatari channel Al-Arabi reported Wednesday. The network attributed the cancellation to U.S.-Saudi coalition airstrikes and an emergency meeting of Iraq's National Security Council.
The cancellation follows a report by The Zioneer earlier Wednesday that the visit was called off, with no reason given at the time. The Qatari outlet Al-Arabi now provides additional context, citing the U.S.-Saudi coalition airstrikes and an emergency session of Iraq's National Security Council as the immediate triggers. The development underscores the strain on Iraq's diplomatic balancing act between Washington and Tehran, as the Iraqi PM also faces pressure from Iran-aligned factions. The reasons remain sourced to a single media report and have not been confirmed by official Iraqi or Saudi statements.
3 developments
- ConfirmedIraqi PM Summons Urgent Government Meeting After US-Saudi Strikes on Pro-Iran Militias
- StrongIraqi PM Ali Al-Zaidi condemns drone attack on Erbil airspace
- DevelopingTop US official: Saudi crown prince invited to G7, couldn't attend due to constraints
- DevelopingSaudi airports suspend flights after attack from Yemen, Iranian media report
Source and signal
- Open-source intake