DUBAI – Saudi Arabia should avoid turning Iraq into a “battleground in acold war” with its regional rival Tehran, the International Crisis Groupsaid on Tuesday.
Iraq, located between Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia and predominantly ShiiteIran, could undergo political change following an upset election victory bycleric Moqtada Sadr.
The key populist Shiite leader, seen as resisting Iran s influence in Iraq,made a surprise visit to Riyadh last year.
But a group of Iran allies won second place in last week s polls, raisingfears of a new proxy confrontation between Tehran and Riyadh which arealready at odds in the Yemen and Syria conflicts.
“In projecting its influence in Iraq, Riyadh should resist the temptationto transform the country into the latest battleground in a cold war withTehran,” the ICG said in a report.
While Saudi Arabia supported Iraq in its war with Iran during the 1980s,Riyadh was on the frontline against Saddam Hussein s 1990 invasion ofKuwait.
Relations have warmed between Saudi Arabia and post-Saddam Iraq since lastyear after a series of visits by officials from both countries, thereopening of a border post for the first time in 27 years, and theresumption of commercial flights.
In March, Saudi King Salman promised Iraq to finance the construction afootball stadium with a capacity of up to 100,000 people.
“Saudi Arabia s renewed interest in engaging with Iraq overtly derives froma desire to counter Iranian influence,” said the ICG.
“The kingdom s financial might gives it leverage, but not enough to havethings its way,” said the Brussels-based think-tank, while welcoming theSaudi commitment to mainly Shiite Iraq.
“If Riyadh tries to do too much too soon, it could become mired inbureaucracy and corruption – or even provoke an Iranian reaction,” it said.
The ICG advised the Saudi government to help strengthen the Iraqi state andfocus on economic engagement.
“Efforts should focus on reconstruction, job creation and trade, with aneye toward balancing investment across the country,” it said.
It also urged Riyadh to consider steps “publicly recognising Shiitereligious practise as a school of Islam” and “quieting anti-Shiite rhetoricfrom Saudi Arabia-based clerics”.
ICG said that Tehran for its part “should encourage Iraq s efforts todiversify its regional alliances”. – APP/AFP