The number of Saudi citizens fighting in Iraq was diminishing as cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Syria increased in an attempt to track down and arrest those crossing the border illegally to join the insurgency; a Saudi source told Asharq al Awsat. As the security situation in Iraq has progressively deteriorated, the source indicated that drug smuggling, especially cannabis, from Iraq into Saudi Arabia has increased. He said, "We have reason to believe the profit from smuggling drugs is financing militants fighting the Iraqi and multinational armies and facilitating the illegal entry of men into the country. It also supports al Qaedaâs terrorist activities inside the Kingdom.â After spending months monitoring monetary transactions in the Kingdom, the Saudi authorities concluded drug smuggling was funding terrorism. Those supporting terrorism in Saudi Arabia "are known to the authorities but we are purposefully withholding details." However, the source said, the Kingdom was "less sure of the identities of those involved in Iraq but expected a few leads, including the increase in drug smuggling operations, to shed light on the perpetrators. In one year alone, border police intercepted 10 tons of cannabis coming from Iraq, whereas in the past, the merchandise used to consist of alcoholic beverages and prohibited drugs.â
He indicated that those financing the insurgency in Iraq and terrorism in Saudi Arabia were likely related, âwhich some groups who will remain anonymous intent on hurting Saudi Arabia without caring who their money is going to and for what end." He asked, "When thousands of riyals are spent on terrorists in the Kingdom, how can we guarantee the funds will not be also made available for those in Iraq? How can we ensure the profit from drug smuggling doesn't also finance terrorism in Saudi Arabia?â Asked if Saudi groups were financing militants to fight in Iraq, the Saudi source stressed no evidence was available in this regard. He added, âI can confirm that Saudi men who intend on joining the insurgency are financially backed by groups outside of the Kingdom.â Terrorists in Iraq, he continued, âonly want Saudis to act as a fighter or a financier.â
On the route would-be terrorists follow to Iraq, the source said, âThere are a number of ways of traveling to Iraq. Some leave Saudi Arabia legally using their own passport and then travel to Syria, or visit and Arab country before heading to Syria. Those wanted by the authorities cross illegally into Yemen first.â Generally, âA young man decides he wants to fight in Iraq, illegally enters Yemen, travels to Syria, and is subsequently smuggled across the border into Iraq.â The source emphasized, "The Syrian authorities are fully cooperating. The same can be said of the Yemeni government with whom we exchange information on suspected militants.â