RIYADH — In a significant step to curb regional narcotics trafficking, Saudi Arabia and Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fight against drug smuggling and abuse.
The agreement was signed in Riyadh by Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Naif and Iraqi Minister of Health and Chair of the Supreme Commission for Drug Control, Saleh Mahdi Al-Hasnawi, in the presence of Iraq’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Safia Al-Suhail.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the MoU outlines comprehensive joint measures to combat the trafficking and smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and chemical precursors — substances often used in the manufacture of illicit drugs.
Key Areas of Cooperation
The 17-article agreement, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency, includes provisions for:
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Intelligence-sharing and coordinated investigations
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Technical training and capacity-building programs
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Implementation of early warning systems
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Joint development of prevention and surveillance strategies
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Enhanced border security coordination
These measures aim to strengthen security at shared border crossings, where both nations have faced increasing challenges in curbing cross-border drug flows.
Growing Regional Threat
The MoU comes amid a rising wave of drug-related crimes and growing concern across the Middle East over the public health and national security implications of narcotics trafficking.
Iraq’s Ministry of Health described the agreement as a sign of “deepened bilateral ties and institutional integration” in addressing one of the region’s most urgent transnational threats.
Strategic Significance
This agreement underscores both nations' commitment to regional stability and cooperation and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader security and public health priorities under its Vision 2030 reforms.
The partnership also reflects a growing trend of cross-border intelligence cooperation among Gulf and Middle Eastern states to dismantle sophisticated drug networks operating across the region.
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