1000s Protest in Baghdad against Saudi Crown Prince’s Planned Visit
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Thousands gathered in Baghdad to protest the upcoming visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Protesters gathered Friday afternoon following midday prayers, some carrying signs calling him a war criminal, blaming the kingdom for crimes committed by the Daesh terror group in Iraq, AP reported.
Bin Salman is planning to visit Iraq in the near future, according to the office of Iraq’s prime minister, but a date has not yet been set.
Iraq and Saudi Arabia have long had a strained relationship, but recently mended ties with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visiting Riyadh last year after diplomatic ties between the two counties were restored in 2016.
The kingdom’s heir apparent is currently on an extensive tour of the United States. Earlier this month he visited the United Kingdom.
Riyadh has viewed Iraq's proximity to Iran with enmity. While Iraqi leaders have repeatedly praised Iran's role in helping the Arab country confront the Takfiri menace, they have accused Saudi Arabia of supporting terrorists.
In April 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said that “every Iraqi citizen has a right to believe that Saudi Arabia is a supporter of terrorism."
