Major General Ahmed Al-Dabais, Saudi Arabias Western Region Commander, offered a kind farewell to Iranian evacuees from Sudan as they boarded their flight back home on Saturday. He urged them to ask for anything they required while they were in Saudi Arabia. According to Iranian and Saudi official television, the Saudi military greeted 65 Iranians evacuated from Sudan with roses in Jeddah. This warm welcome was arranged by the leadership, which included the monarch and the crown prince. Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia (Image: Twitter)This is a stunning shift in attitude, given that Iran and Saudi Arabia were bitter regional competitors engaged in various proxy wars throughout the Middle East until they buried their swords in March after nearly seven years of disagreement, thanks to Chinese intervention. They are now seeking to reopen their embassies as soon as possible. According to Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst and writer, this can only generate goodwill from the Iranians, with the goal of reciprocity, since Saudi Arabia is now focused on rebranding itself globally and healing wounds with old adversaries.Sudan evacuations of Saudi Arabia (Image: Twitter)The growing diplomacy of Saudi ArabiaAccording to Anna Jacobs, a senior Gulf analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank in Brussels, Saudi Arabias recent diplomatic efforts represent an abrupt shift in strategy away from a decade-long adversarial and aggressive foreign policy. According to Jacobs, Saudi Arabia is attempting to strengthen its global footprint through mediation and diplomacy, reflecting a new foreign policy agenda.Saudi Arabias latest diplomatic efforts in Sudan aim to relieve the ongoing conflict between Sudans Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. The kingdom evacuated almost 5,000 people from Port Sudan to Jeddah and brokered a truce between the two commanders with the assistance of the US. According to Fahad Nazer, spokesman for the Saudi embassy in the United States, the kingdom is collaborating with regional and international allies. The new diplomacy represents a shift in Saudi Arabias foreign policy towards regional stability to facilitate economic growth, as opposed to its past aggressive actions. The kingdom is also repairing ties with Yemens Houthis, Turkey, and Syria and is leading attempts to reintegrate Syrias President Bashar al-Assad into the Arab fold.Saudi Arabias mediation activities have moved outside the Middle East, including mediating a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine and assisting in the release of basketball player Brittney Griner from Russian custody. However, Riyadhs attempts to rebrand itself as a peace broker have been hampered by its aggressive foreign policy over the last decade. In Yemen, Houthi officials stated that Saudi Arabia is not a mediator but rather a participant. Riyadh is attempting to pull itself out of the turmoil by promoting an inclusive political solution for peace and stability. Despite its controversial history, Saudi Arabias power and resources can still bring opposing parties together.
