FM: Saudi Arabia Doesn’t Want US Troops to Leave Iraq

Top Saudi diplomat endorses US killing of Iran general

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud told CNN on Monday that the Saudi Kingdom opposes the US withdrawing troops from Iraq, even though Iraq’s parliament voted 170-0 to expel them.

Faisal says the Saudis believe that the US was crucial in defeating ISIS, and is a “reliable ally of the Kingdom.” He added the Saudis “work very well with President Trump” on regional security.

President Trump has already said he doesn’t intend to withdraw from Iraq, and has threatened sanctions on Iraq for even asking. There is also talk of establishing a semi-autonomous Sunni part of Iraq, which would doubtless be allied with the Saudis.

Iraq is concerned about being the site of a proxy war between the US and Iran. The Saudis, being Iran’s main regional rival, are very comfortable with the idea of the US and Iran fighting a war, especially in a country other than Saudi Arabia.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.