Bahrain to Re-establish Envoy in Baghdad Following Historic Iraqi PM Visit

Bahrain has announced its decision to reinstate an ambassador to Iraq, signaling a significant thaw in diplomatic relations and the end of a prolonged rift. This development follows the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister to the kingdom in over two decades. The announcement was made on Saturday by Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani during a phone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, as confirmed by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.

Dr. Al Zayani lauded the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi, stating that Manama would restore its envoy to Baghdad. He emphasized that this move underscores Bahrain's commitment to strengthening ties with Iraq and expanding opportunities for joint cooperation. Mr. Hussein, in turn, affirmed Iraq's desire to enhance bilateral relations with Bahrain across various sectors. The two ministers also discussed regional developments, highlighting the importance of ongoing coordination and consultation.

Bahrain's ambassador, Khalid Al Mansour, had departed Baghdad in April amidst heightened regional tensions, following Manama's summoning of the Iraqi charge d'affaires to protest drone attacks attributed to Iran-backed militias. These groups had claimed responsibility for strikes targeting US military bases in Bahrain.

For Iraq, the return of the Bahraini ambassador holds both symbolic and practical significance. It restores full diplomatic representation at a crucial time when Iraq is seeking to position itself as a mediator between regional powers, rather than a theater for their conflicts. Since assuming office in May, Mr. Al Zaidi has been actively working to mend relations with Gulf states, advocating for dialogue between the six Gulf Co-operation Council states, Iraq, and Iran, under the initiative known as 6+2.

The recent visit by Mr. Al Zaidi was described as "historic" in Manama, marking the first time a leader of post-2003 Iraq had visited Bahrain. The Iraqi Prime Minister expressed his intention to "revive the historic relationship between the two countries" and noted ongoing efforts to bolster economic and political ties. He was received by Crown Prince Salman, with whom he co-chaired expanded talks, and later met with King Hamad. Mr. Al Zaidi extended an invitation to King Hamad to visit Iraq, underscoring Baghdad's commitment to normalizing relations with its Gulf neighbors.

Relations between Iraq and Bahrain have historically been complicated by sectarian politics and regional rivalries. The perception of post-2003 Iraq aligning with Tehran against Gulf states contributed to a prolonged period of strained relations, despite the maintenance of formal diplomatic ties. The visit to Bahrain was the latest stop in an extensive regional tour undertaken by the Iraqi Prime Minister over the past two weeks. Previously, he visited Jordan to meet King Abdullah II, and subsequently traveled to Damascus for discussions with Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara, marking the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister to Syria since the fall of Bashar Al Assad in 2024. In Damascus, discussions centered on trade, investment, border security, and the potential restoration of the Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline, alongside broader regional stabilization efforts.