Iraq is in contact with Saudi authorities over the arrest of two Iraqi pilgrims, the ministry of interior announced on Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said that "the ministry is in communication with its Saudi counterpart regarding the reasons for the arrest of two Iraqi citizens who were pilgrims in the Kingdom."

"The aim is to secure their release and to understand all the details related to their situation," the statement added.

Colonel Miqdad al-Mussawi, the spokesperson of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, informed The New Region that "the Saudi authorities have not provided clarity on the arrest situation to us. However, we are actively pursuing updates from them regarding the incident."

The head of the Hajj and Umrah Authority, Sami al-Masoudi, revealed on Saturday the measures taken and the circumstances surrounding the arrest of two Iraqi pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

"We now have two cases of arrest, and we have appointed a lawyer and sent a team, including the Iraqi consulate in Jeddah,” Masoudi said.

He pointed out that the consulate is in continuous communication with the Saudi side regarding this matter, as it is the only entity permitted to communicate in its capacity as a diplomatic entity.

He added that "the number of detainees has reached two, and the procedures are ongoing, and they will be released in the coming days."

Regarding the reasons for the arrests, al-Masoudi explained that "the Saudi side has procedures related to the organization of Hajj, including slogans, electronic publications, and political publications or information," noting that "they take individuals for certain inquiries at the police station or what is called the public prosecution, and then they are released.”

An informed source revealed earlier the arrest of the political analyst close to the Coordination Framework, Imad al-Musafir.

Information indicates that he was arrested from a hotel in Medina a few days ago, making him the second case after the arrest of another pilgrim, Walid al-Sharifi, who was reported to have chanted slogans involving the name of the Popular Mobilization Forces during Hajj.

On May 14, eleven Iraqi citizens were detained in Lebanon for attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia with tourist visas.

Saudi authorities refused their entry due to concerns over visa conversion, the Iraqi embassy in Beirut facilitated their release and arranged their return to Iraq.

Iraqi MPs advocated for their release, emphasizing the legality of their travel plans. The embassy in Saudi Arabia oversaw the remaining procedures for their repatriation.