Saudi Arabia set to welcome more US troops

US Marine Corps General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. (C-L), Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), shakes hands with Saudi military officers during his visit to a military base in al-Kharj in central Saudi Arabia. (File/AFP)

• The move shows the mutual desire of Saudi Arabia and US to protect regional peace
• The pentagon approved the deployment of 3,000 additional troops and military hardware

Dubai: Saudi Arabia will welcome additional US troops and weapons, state news agency SPA reported on Saturday.

The decision was made by King Salman and the Crown Prince, a source added.

It signifies the cooperation between the Kingdom and the US to protect regional peace and deter any effort to disturb the stability of the region.

The move also reinforces the historic relationship and strategic alliance between the two states.

The Pentagon earlier approved the deployment of 3,000 additional troops and military hardware to the Kingdom, boosting the country’s defenses in the aftermath of attacks on its oil installations.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has authorized the deployment of two more Patriot missile batteries, one THAAD ballistic missile interception system, two fighter squadrons and one air expeditionary wing, the Pentagon said in a statement.