Arar border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Iraq open for business
The opening is part of a gradual process of Saudi Arabia and Iraq seeking to rebuild ties in the last four years.
By SETH J. FRANTZMANAn Iraqi flag flies at a military camp near the border with Syria at al-Qaim, Iraq, November 25, 2018.(photo credit: ALAA AL-MARJANI/REUTERS)
Iraq’s Arar border crossing has been closed since 1990. That is 30 years, an extraordinarily long time. This week, the Arar border crossing opened. It is part of a gradual process of Saudi Arabia and Iraq seeking to rebuild ties in the last four years.Former US anti-ISIS envoy Brett McGurk and former US secretary of state Rex Tillerson believed in this mission, and it appears that the relatively slow process is moving in the direction of more trade and flights.There are major questions, however, because pro-Iranian militias in Iraq continue to threaten the Gulf states and often slander Saudi Arabia. This is part of broader regional tensions. The militias tend to blame Riyadh for extremist groups in Iraq, arguing that years ago it was Saudi Arabia that backed Iraqi Sunni insurgents.But there is more to this than just claims of Riyadh backing extremists. The larger context is Iran’s play to control Iraq. Tehran does not want a self-sufficient Iraq; it wants Iraq to be its “near abroad” and totally dependent on Iran.Iraq’s pro-Iran militias, such as Badr, have infiltrated Iraq’s Interior Ministry and have taken over police and paramilitary forces, providing themselves salaries. They use the Hezbollah and IRGC model, taking over military aspects of the state, the economy and political parties.Saudi Arabia does not have an answer for that and is concerned about threats from Iraq. Other Gulf states, such as Bahrain and the UAE, also see pressure from Iran in Iraq. However, the new border crossing and chance for trade could help Baghdad economically as it struggles with insufficient funds to pay government salaries and an unstable global oil market.Iraq needs massive investment in infrastructure and the standard of living after decades of neglect. Riyadh has the know-how, but it is unclear if Iraqis will take advantage of it.
Related TagsGulf States
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
