As Saudi Arabia prepares for a large-scale military exercise on Tuesday, military sources have confirmed that thousands of soldiers have been called to gather at the Yemeni-Saudi border in an impressive show of force.
Tens of thousands of military have been mobilized in view of the manoeuvres in different areas in the kingdom in a bid to demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s armed forces capability and the extent of its fire power. Sources have already confirmed that a great many number of aircraft, ships, helicopters, military vehicles, tanks, and sophisticated weapons have been gathered ahead of Tuesday’s event.
Saudi Arabia Crown Prince, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who is also the Defence Minister and First Deputy Prime Minister called for the exercise as he said he wanted to send a clear message of the kingdom’s military power in order to act a deterrent and reinforce the government’s determination to oppose whatever enemy, either within or without its borders.
Maj. Gen. Hashim bin Abdul Aziz Alkhma'le, Commander of the southern region (which shares a border with Yemen) was keen to play down the military manoeuvres by emphasizing that if Saudi Arabia seek not to promote war it would defend its borders and its national security with utmost determination. “We are not warmongers but our duty commands that we stand ready to repel any aggression,” the general told reporters at a press conference.
It is important to note that Crown Prince Salman’s decision to stage such military exercise at Yemen-KSA border area corresponds with reports of intermittent clashes earlier this months with alleged smugglers.