Reuters: Saudi Arabia Calls for Arab Unity Against Iran and ISIS

Saudi Arabia is calling for Sunni countries in the region to set aside their differences and unite against the common threats posed by Iran and the Islamic State group. According to a report on Thursday, March 5, by Reuters, King Salman of Saudi Arabia has taken the opportunity of recent meetings with Gulf Arab countries, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey to urge the resolution of Arab disputes, particularly regarding the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood is a Sunni Islamist group in Egypt, of which former President Mohamed Morsi was a senior member, but he was ousted from power following public protests and military intervention. Morsi has been imprisoned since then and faces charges, including passing security information to foreign countries, including Iran, which could lead to a death sentence. During King Abdullah's reign, the UAE and Bahrain were among the Arab countries that supported Morsi's ousting by the Egyptian military and the presidency of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the secular military commander who replaced him. These countries even recalled their ambassadors from Qatar due to its support for the Muslim Brotherhood. However, Reuters reports that the new king of Saudi Arabia is employing more diverse methods compared to his predecessor. The news agency quotes an Arab diplomat stating that King Salman is 'trying to unite Sunni countries.' The report identifies Iran as Saudi Arabia's 'greatest concern.' The rise of Shiite Houthi forces in Yemen and their ousting of the legitimate government, along with the presence of Iranian commanders and military forces in Iraq, are cited as primary reasons for this concern. The easing of pressures on the Islamic Republic following a potential agreement with global powers regarding Iran's nuclear program is another issue that has heightened Saudi Arabia's anxiety. Although U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently visited Saudi Arabia and assured senior officials that a nuclear deal with Iran would not mean giving the Islamic Republic free rein in the region, Riyadh is worried that Washington's long-term commitment to the region may overshadow its willingness to unite Sunni Arabs. The Islamic State group is another major concern for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially since the Saudi Air Force is actively participating in the U.S.-led international coalition against the Islamic State. However, this group, also known as ISIS, considers the ruling family of Saudi Arabia 'illegitimate' and has threatened to destroy them. Saudi officials are concerned about the influence of the Islamic State within the country. Reuters cites a Western diplomat stating that, from Saudi Arabia's perspective, Iran and the Islamic State are the two main enemies, and other disputes and issues among Arabs should be set aside to confront these two foes.