Saudi Govt Stresses Strategic Partnership between US, Gulf in Containing Iran's Malign Behavior

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Stresses Strategic Partnership between US, Gulf in Containing Iran's Malign Behavior

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting. (SPA)

The Saudi government highlighted on Tuesday the outcomes of the meetings of the working groups between the Gulf Cooperation Council member states and United States.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The United States and the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened Working Groups on Integrated Air and Missile Defense and Maritime Security at the GCC’s headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 9.

The Working Groups stressed the longstanding defense partnership between the United States and the members of the GCC and reaffirmed a shared commitment to regional security, under the framework of the GCC-US Strategic Partnership.

The United States and GCC member states discussed the range of threats to the region with a focus on the air and sea domains. The participants underscored the November 2021 statement of the US-GCC Iran Working Group, again condemning Iran’s malign behavior through proxies and direct use of advanced ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Iran has used these weapons and supported terrorist and other armed groups to conduct hundreds of attacks in the region.

The Saudi cabinet reviewed various developments that had taken place in the past week.

The ministers condemned the cowardly attack against an oil refinery in Riyadh, saying they support the measures taken by the Kingdom to protect itself and global energy supplies.

They stressed that such terrorist attacks not only target the Kingdom, but broader energy supplies, which will negatively impact the global economy. They urged the world to stand against such acts, their perpetrators and backers.

The cabinet also condemned the missile attack carried out by Iran against Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region. It said it stands by Iraq and all the measures it takes to protect its security and stability, adding that Saudi Arabia rejects all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism.

King Salman briefed the ministers on the talks he held last week with visiting Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The cabinet also reviewed the talks held between Saudi and Greek officials at the Saudi-Greek investment forum.

The ministers hailed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, for his launch on Monday of the new strategy of the National Development Fund.

They highlighted the World Defense Show that was hosted by Riyadh earlier this month, saying it garnered local and international support for cooperation and innovation and building significant partnerships in defense and security industries.



Saudi Military Personnel Graduate from US THAAD Missile Defense Training Program

Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Graduate Second Unit at Fort Bliss Base in the US. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Graduate Second Unit at Fort Bliss Base in the US. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Military Personnel Graduate from US THAAD Missile Defense Training Program

Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Graduate Second Unit at Fort Bliss Base in the US. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces Graduate Second Unit at Fort Bliss Base in the US. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces have announced the graduation of the second unit trained to operate the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. The training was completed at Fort Bliss Military Base in El Paso, Texas.

This latest graduation follows the completion of training for the first unit several months ago and is part of a broader initiative to build a fully qualified Saudi operational and maintenance crew for the THAAD system- one of the world’s most advanced and precise missile defense technologies. The system is considered a key pillar of Saudi Arabia’s air defense capabilities.

During their training, the Saudi personnel underwent an intensive program that included technical and operational instruction, combat simulation, and advanced field exercises. The course was conducted under the supervision of experts from the system’s manufacturing company, in cooperation with the United States as part of ongoing military collaboration agreements between the two nations.

This training initiative is aligned with the Saudi Ministry of Defense’s strategic objective to enhance the operational readiness and technical proficiency of its forces through advanced and specialized training. The goal is to equip Saudi forces with the skills required for modern military operations, in line with Vision 2030’s focus on military modernization and technological localization.

The Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces continue to implement comprehensive plans to qualify national cadres capable of managing and operating advanced defense systems, strengthening national security and protecting Saudi airspace against potential threats.

The graduation ceremony was held at Fort Bliss in the presence of Major General Abdullah Al-Rubaie, Commander of the Air Defense Forces Institute, representing Lieutenant General Mazyad Al-Amro, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces. The event was also attended by US counterparts and representatives from relevant training bodies.