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Saudi Arabia and Iraq: A Complex History of Friendship and Enmity

Spencer Powell

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Published in Saudi Arabia And Iraq As Friends And Enemies: Borders Tribes And A Shared History

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Saudi Arabia and Iraq are two of the most important countries in the Middle East. They share a long and complex history, marked by both cooperation and conflict.

Saudi Arabia and Iraq as Friends and Enemies: Borders, Tribes and a Shared History

by Joshua Yaphe

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6728 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	435 pages
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The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iraq has been shaped by a number of factors, including geography, religion, and economics.

**Geography**

Saudi Arabia and Iraq are located on the Arabian Peninsula. They share a bFree Download of over 800 kilometers. This shared bFree Download has been a source of both tension and cooperation between the two countries.

**Religion**

Saudi Arabia and Iraq are both Muslim-majority countries. However, there are significant differences between the two countries' religious traditions.

Saudi Arabia is a Sunni Muslim country, while Iraq is a Shia Muslim country. This difference in religious beliefs has been a source of tension between the two countries.

**Economics**

Saudi Arabia and Iraq are both oil-rich countries. This shared economic interest has been a source of cooperation between the two countries.

However, the two countries have also competed for control of oil resources in the region. This competition has been a source of tension between the two countries.

**History**

The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iraq has been marked by a number of key moments.

**Early Alliance**

In the early 20th century, Saudi Arabia and Iraq were part of the Ottoman Empire. After the Ottoman Empire collapsed, the two countries became independent.

In the early years of their independence, Saudi Arabia and Iraq were close allies. The two countries shared a common goal of preventing the spread of communism in the Middle East.

**Rivalry**

In the 1970s, the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iraq began to deteriorate. The two countries competed for control of oil resources in the region.

In 1980, Iraq invaded Iran. Saudi Arabia supported Iran in the war.

The Iran-Iraq War ended in 1988. However, the war left a lasting legacy of bitterness between Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

**Recent Relations**

In recent years, the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iraq has improved. The two countries have cooperated on a number of issues, including security and counter-terrorism.

However, there are still some tensions between the two countries. These tensions include the issue of Shia pilgrims who visit Saudi Arabia for the hajj.

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The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iraq is complex and multifaceted. The two countries have a long history of both cooperation and conflict.

In recent years, the relationship between the two countries has improved. However, there are still some tensions between the two countries.

The future of the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iraq is uncertain. However, it is clear that the two countries will continue to play an important role in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia and Iraq as Friends and Enemies: Borders, Tribes and a Shared History

by Joshua Yaphe

5 out of 5