Iraq, Saudi Arabia, US Central Command hold talks on armed factions in Riyadh

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Delegations from Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the US Central Command met in Riyadh on Tuesday evening to discuss the situation of armed factions in Iraq and recent security developments, diplomatic sources said. The Saudi side reviewed the steps taken by Baghdad on security during the tenure of Prime Minister Ibrahim Ali Falih al-Zaidi, the sources said. Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman has been leading the file from Riyadh, while First-Stage Brigadier General Abdul Amir al-Shammari, chief of the General Staff, has managed the main channel of security communication between Baghdad and Riyadh. Brigadier General Zaid Hawshi, head of the counterterrorism unit at the Iraqi prime minister's office, attended the meetings, a move the Saudi side welcomed. The talks focused on Baghdad's efforts to secure the country and prevent attacks originating from Iraqi territory. The Iraqi security delegation arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday under al-Shammari's leadership. Mosul Intelligence Directorate chief Hamid al-Shatrawi and Air Defense Commander General Muhand al-Asadi were part of the delegation.