Gulf countries delay re-opening Baghdad embassy
Gulf countries delay re-opening Baghdad embassy
Regional developments, especially in Yemen, have forced some Gulf countries to suspend re-opening their embassies in Iraq.
1 min read
Protests in Yemen against the Saudi-led operation against the Houthis [Anadolu]
Some Gulf countries are suspending the re-opening of their embassies in Baghdad for security and political reasons, according to Iraqi government sources, an apparent response to threats made against them by Iran-backed militias.
The last threat was made by the Hizballah movement in Iraq, according to thia ource, after the launch of the Saudi-led operation Decisive Storm against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
"The threats are also because Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi failed to keep promises he made before his election," said the source.
These included achieving national reconciliation and ending the marginalisation of certain groups. Additionally, they are a reaction against Iran’s control over security and the political arena in Iraq, he added.
Iraqi President Fouad Masoum has visited several Gulf countries in recent days. Relations between them broke down a year ago due to the policies of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
After his visit Masoum said some Gulf countries had said they would soon re-open their embassies in the Iraqi capital, closed since 2003.
"Iraq has good relations with Gulf countries, and the delay is because of recent regional developments," an Iraqi diplomat in the Gulf told al-Araby al-Jadeed.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
The last threat was made by the Hizballah movement in Iraq, according to thia ource, after the launch of the Saudi-led operation Decisive Storm against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
"The threats are also because Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi failed to keep promises he made before his election," said the source.
These included achieving national reconciliation and ending the marginalisation of certain groups. Additionally, they are a reaction against Iran’s control over security and the political arena in Iraq, he added.
Iraqi President Fouad Masoum has visited several Gulf countries in recent days. Relations between them broke down a year ago due to the policies of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
After his visit Masoum said some Gulf countries had said they would soon re-open their embassies in the Iraqi capital, closed since 2003.
"Iraq has good relations with Gulf countries, and the delay is because of recent regional developments," an Iraqi diplomat in the Gulf told al-Araby al-Jadeed.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
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