The Mecca Pact and the Saudi-Gulf security dilemma 

The recent signing of a trilateral defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan marks a new development in the Middle East's security architecture, coming as Riyadh finds itself increasingly embroiled in conflict with Iran-aligned actors.

Mohammed A. Salih

Opinion

PMF leadership failed to notify bases about US-Saudi attack: Sadr spokesperson

In his Monday statement, Ubaidi claimed that the criticism made against Sadr and his family in the aftermath was part of “an organized and targeted media campaign” with the aim of “diverting attention and suppressing the fundamental question: Who is directly responsible for the failure to evacuate the headquarters and the sacrifice of the fighters’ lives?”

News

No date set for PM Zaidi's rescheduled Saudi visit: Iraqi gov't

The premier was set to visit Riyadh on July 30, with the trip having abruptly been cancelled following the diplomatic tension inflamed by US-Saudi airstrikes on pro-Iran groups in Iraq the day prior.

News

Iran backs regional security cooperation, rejects reliance on US

Reacting to the defense agreement, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a press conference that Tehran’s “fundamental policy” is “to encourage the region's countries toward cooperation and strengthening mutual trust for endogenous security, without relying on extra-regional actors.”

News

Yemen army launches operation against Houthis after deadly attacks

The Yemeni army said its forces conducted a military operation “in several areas alongside the lines of contact” with the Houthis in response to “continuous terrorist transgressions that the Houthi militias have conducted in the provinces of Marib and Hadramaut.”

News

Iraq’s Islamic Resistance delays retaliation to US-Saudi attack after Amiri appeal

In response to Amiri's appeal and stances taken by “some upright political leader,” the Islamic Resistance said it had decided to “postpone the response that had been planned for today.”

News

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan sign defense pact

the Agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three States shall be regarded as an attack against them all. It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defense cooperation among the three States," a joint statement on the pact read.

News

Amiri urges pro-Iran Iraqi groups to ‘postpone’ response to US-Saudi attack

The message from the veteran Iran-aligned Iraqi figure came amid circulating reports of a potential re-escalation between the armed factions and Saudi Arabia.

News

Behind the Saudi airstrikes: Private accusations and secret warnings

“Saudis accuse Badr and Kataib Hezbollah of targeting their oil facilities,” a senior PMF official familiar with the latest developments in the Iraqi investigation into the attacks told The New Region. “They informed the prime minister through an intermediary that these two factions were responsible for the recent attacks.”

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