Arab News
July 20, 2019
US Defense Department says it would deploy troops and resources to Saudi Arabia to “provide an additional deterrent” in the face of “emergent, credible threats”
The gesture comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran in the Gulf that have impacted global oil markets
JEDDAH/WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman approved hosting US forces in the Kingdom to boost regional security and stability, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.
The ministry tweeted that Saudi Arabia and the United States are “strengthen(ing) their longstanding partnership in (the) face of regional threats.”
In Washington, the US Defense Department confirmed the move in a statement, saying it would deploy troops and resources to Saudi Arabia to “provide an additional deterrent” in the face of “emergent, credible threats.”
The gesture comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran in the Gulf that have impacted global oil markets.
With Iranian military threats in mind, the US is sending American forces, including fighter aircraft, air defense missiles and likely more than 500 troops, to a Saudi air base that became a hub of American air power in the Middle East in the 1990s.
Senior American defense officials said some US troops and Patriot air defense missile systems have already arrived at Prince Sultan Air Base, south of Riyadh, where the troops have been preparing for the arrival of aircraft later this summer as well as additional troops. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in order to provide details not publicly announced.
The agreement has been in the works for many weeks and is not a response specifically to Friday’s seizure by Iran of a British tanker in the Arabian Gulf.
Tensions with Iran have spiked since May when the Trump administration said it had detected increased Iranian preparations for possible attacks on US forces and interests in the Gulf area.
In a written statement Friday evening, US Central Command said the deployments to Saudi Arabia had been approved by the Pentagon.
“This movement of forces provides an additional deterrent, and ensures our ability to defend our forces and interests in the region from emergent, credible threats,” Central Command said. “This movement creates improvement of operational depth and logistical networks. US Central Command continually assesses force posture in the region and is working with Kingdom of Saudi Arabia authorities to base US assets at the appropriate locations.”
Putting US combat forces back in Saudi Arabia, after an absence of more than a decade, adds depth to the regional alignment of US military power, which is mostly in locations on the Arabian Gulf that are more vulnerable to Iranian missile attack.
In June, the Pentagon said it would deploy 1,000 troops to the Middle East but did not say where they were going.
(With AP & Reuters)
source:
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1528171/saudi-arabia
Categories: America, Americas, Arab World, Asia, Royal Family, Saudi Arabia, United States, US President, USA
Let not the believers take the disbelievers as Auliya (supporters, helpers, etc.) instead of the believers, and whoever does that will never be helped by God in any way, except if you indeed fear a danger from them. And God warns you against Himself (His Punishment), and to God is the final return. Qur’an 3:28
may be this verse could apply here? Let’s see what Allah’s response will be to this.
In other words, “Americans, go home”? Seems to me that you would want our help. One Muslim flavor is enemies with another Muslim flavor, and one of those threatens the stability of the other. You would think that you would welcome our help to maintain the PEACE THRU STRENGTH, as said by former President Ronald Reagan. Are you a fan of Bazooka Bubble Gum? On the inside rapper there was a skinny dude being bullied. And when he was sick of being bullied, he got pumped up with MUSCLE, and no one bothered him again. My point, we are not the aggressors, as what is being falsely portrayed. We are the protectors of LIVES against those who wish you harm. I have no idea why Mohamed would have a problem with that. You guys can’t seem to get along within your own religion, and you badmouth the Americans cuz we don’t believe what you believe, calling us unbelievers? We do believe, just not what you believe. So what’s the problem?
I am a fan of King Salman sitting together with the Ayatullahs to sort out all outstanding matters. I am a fan of peace before war and talking to each other before war. And, again, your ‘hitting out at ‘you kind of guys’ goes to the wrong target. We at the Muslim Times never ‘badmouth’ any one that has a different belief to us. On the other hand if you cannot see that the behavior of the Americans in the Gulf is provocative pushed around by the Saudis and Israelis I think you are blind. By the way: What I am saying here is my very personal opinion (after observing the Americans in Baghdad from 2003 to 2011) and is not the opinion of The MUSLIM TIMES !
No, I do not see the American presence in the Gulf as provocative at all. I’ve been there, numerous times, and we’ve had Arab diplomats on board our ships, many. Ya, 2003 to 2011…haha…gotta just LOVE Baghdad Bob telling the world lies, so obvious that it’s like a night at the comedy club…don’t forget to tip your waitresses!! Last I recall, Sadam is kinda dead right now, and NO ONE is mourning his death. No one in the Muslim world had the guts to terminate his life. So we did FOR YOU, and look at the thanks we get? We did you a favor, and we get airplanes knocking down 2 buildings cuz a caveman didn’t like it. Wow.
a caveman managed to knock down 2 buildings? what about tower Nr. 7? committed suicide because he was lonely without the two big brothers?
Yes, Saddam was nasty, but by ‘liberating’ Iraq from him you managed to kill 100 times more (or is it 1000?) than he ever managed. And you are proud of it?