The Arar Border Crossing will be reopened for the first time since 1990 as both countries- Saudi Arabia and Iraq have agreed to open it for trade purpose.  The crossing was closed in 1990 when both countries cut ties following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait.

According to newspaper reports, Saudi and Iraqi officials visited the site on Monday and spoke to Iraqi pilgrims for whom the crossing was opened only once annually during the Haj season.

The governor of Iraq's southwestern Anbar province, Sohaib al-Rawi hailed its opening a significant move which will boost ties and bring about future cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The Saudi cabinet on Monday had also established a joint trade commission with Iraq.

After years of troubled relations, Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman which resulted in an agreement for Saudi Arabia to donate $10 million in aid to the Iraqi government and study possible investments in Shi'ite regions of southern Iraq.

Sadr is very popular and has a large following in Baghdad and southern Iraq. The Saudi-Iraqi ties got a boost in 2015 when Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad after a 25-year break.

In February, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir visited Baghdad and the two countries announced in June they would set up a coordination council to improve their ties.