ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The recent halting of around 50 buses transiting between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Arar border crossing in Iraq's Anbar province following the discovery of narcotics by Saudi authorities has raised concerns regarding drug trafficking between the two countries, with analysts accusing Iran-backed factions of seeking to exploit the border to compensate for the crackdown on smuggling in Syria following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December.

On September 13, Saudi authorities discovered narcotics hidden inside the bags of two Iraqi pilgrims. They immediately arrested the suspects and halted traffic at the Arar crossing. Strict inspections followed, covering all buses arriving from Iraq and continuing until the next morning. Passengers underwent thorough checks of all belongings, with some forced to wait outside buses for many hours before being allowed to cross after more than 18 hours of suspension.

Officials described the incident as isolated, but experts warned that repeated cases could put Iraq’s reputation at risk and raise serious questions about the country’s ability to secure its borders. They also cautioned about the potential security and diplomatic repercussions for relations with Riyadh at a time when drug trafficking inside Iraq is expanding at an alarming pace.

Accusations have been directed at Iran-aligned armed factions, which are allegedly seeking to take control of the border strip with Saudi Arabia to revive their commercial activity after losing access to Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December.

Movements and surveillance systems

A security source told The New Region that armed factions have been operating specifically in the area stretching between the Jordanian and Saudi borders with Iraq.

“This force has been carrying out movements in the areas of al-Waleed, Rutba, Nukhaib, and Arar,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “They have established military barracks, set up surveillance systems in areas near the border crossing with Saudi Arabia, and set up headquarters there.”

The source added that the armed factions seek full control over the border triangle linking Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria, asserting that they have been conducting joint patrols on the road connecting Akashat, Rutba, and Nukhaib.

Political researcher Ghanem al-Abid told The New Region that after losing their presence in Syria, armed factions lost significant financial revenues they had been making from drug trafficking.

“The armed factions try to hide behind drug traffickers,” Abid said. “But in reality, they are the ones protecting these traffickers and are responsible for the drug trade, as they are in desperate need of money.”

Iranian desire to block Saudi investment

Abid added that the spread of armed factions along the border strip came at Iran’s behest, as Tehran rejects any Saudi economic presence in Iraq to maintain its own dominance over the country.

“Saudi companies that wish to invest in Iraq do not pay the 20 percent cut that Iraqi, Chinese, and other companies pay to the armed factions in order to fund themselves,” he said.

He stressed that armed factions, whom he alleged are backed by Iran, do not want any Saudi presence in Iraq, whether political or economic, and were behind the obstruction of Saudi investments worth billions of dollars.

Experts believe that the Arar incident could cast a shadow over Baghdad-Riyadh relations, especially since both countries have worked in recent years to strengthen security and economic cooperation.

Security measures

Anbar Provincial Council member Saad al-Mohammadi called for tighter security measures at the Arar border crossing to prevent the recurrence of drug and contraband smuggling.

“Relations with Saudi Arabia are at their best, and dealings at the Arar crossing are exemplary,” Mohammadi told The New Region. “Security authorities there provide many facilities for travelers, especially pilgrims. But such acts hinder the movement of travelers and traders at the crossing.”

According to Al-Mada newspaper, armed factions are preventing Saudi investments in Iraq that could reach up to $100 billion, due to competition over gains and fears of the creation of a Sunni autonomous region.

The paper reported that an Iraqi-Saudi project, agreed upon seven years ago, was supposed to grant Riyadh investment rights over desert lands on the western border, with investments also extending to energy and infrastructure.

Economic setback

Anbar Provincial Council security adviser Abdullah al-Jghaifi told The New Region that the spread of armed factions along the Saudi border threatens relations between the two countries.

“The armed factions suffered an economic disaster after losing their drug trade with Syria, which used to generate revenues of up to $2 million per day,” Jghaifi said. “They are now seeking alternative ways to obtain income.”

He stressed that protecting the border with any country must remain under the control of Iraq’s Border Guard forces and other official security agencies. Otherwise, he warned, Iraq risks embarrassment with neighboring states that are unwilling to deal with armed factions.

Data from the Interior Ministry shows that the drug problem has expanded alarmingly in recent years. More than 2,600 people were convicted of trafficking and use cases in 2025 alone. Officials also seized three tons of Captagon and crystal meth, along with thousands of narcotic medical ampoules.

Shadow dealers and militia protection

Security expert Falah al-Ani told The New Region that drug trafficking into Saudi Arabia is backed by armed factions.

“The armed factions cannot appear publicly in drug trafficking operations to Saudi Arabia,” Ani said. “So they use individuals and traders as mere fronts. All of them are protected by the factions, and the financial revenues go back to them.”

He added that the presence of armed factions along the Saudi border will threaten economic ties with Riyadh and deter investment by companies and traders inside Iraq.

“The government and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani must move on this issue, withdraw these factions, and hand over the security file at all border crossings to official state forces,” Ani said.

He added that the factions are trying to generate money and compensate for their financial losses after losing the Syrian drug trade. “Sometimes they set up checkpoints and impose levies on the road linking Iraq and Jordan,” Ani said. “Other times they impose taxes on traders, farmers and property owners. Now, they are spreading along the border strip with Saudi Arabia and backing the trade of crystal meth and other substances.”

PMF group alleges US plot

Kadhim al-Fartousi, spokesperson for the Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada militia, denied that armed factions are involved in drug trafficking, whether in Syria in the past or in Saudi Arabia today.

“The goal of this issue is to tarnish the image of the Popular Mobilization Forces [PMF] and their sacrifices,” Fartousi told The New Region. “The PMF is deployed in the most difficult and dangerous areas to prevent the return of terrorist groups. This is part of the American plot, which seeks our withdrawal from these areas and spreads false rumors.”

The US State Department on Wednesday designated Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and three other Iran-backed as foreign terrorist organizations, accusing Tehran of providing support that “enables these militias to plan, facilitate, or directly carry out attacks across Iraq.”

Fartousi also denied that the factions seek to block Saudi investment. “Any company, trader, or businessman can carry out their work in Anbar or any other part of Iraq,” he said.

He argued that the Saudis themselves do not truly want to invest inside Iraq and instead use the presence of factions as an excuse. “We reject this accusation,” Fartousi said. “It is part of the campaign targeting the PMF.”