“No changes have taken place in the Kingdom’s border with Yemen. The official border remains in accordance with the agreement signed by the two countries,” he told reporters while answering a question.
Prince Khaled, who was in Jazan to inspect armed forces deployed in the border region, urged Saudi soldiers to be vigilant against possible intrusions similar to the one carried out by Yemeni Houthis three months ago.
He said the Yemeni infiltrators had fulfilled all the conditions set out by the Kingdom.
“They have withdrawn from Saudi territory and returned the Saudi captives,” he explained. He said efforts are underway to deploy Yemeni forces on the border.
“The Kingdom will continue to monitor the border and this is the duty of the armed forces and the border guards of the Interior Ministry.”
Prince Khaled said the Kingdom received Saudi captives and the bodies of dead soldiers through the help of the Yemeni authorities.
“We’ll deal only with the Yemeni government,” he insisted. He emphasized the importance of protecting the Saudi Arabian border with Yemen in order to prevent further intrusions in the future.
“Those who try to enter the Kingdom’s territory should think several times before doing so because our response would be more violent and stronger,” he said. Asked about prospects of establishing a military base along the border, Prince Khaled said it would be decided by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the supreme commander, and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation. He said measures had been taken to remove mines from the area.
“We consider what is happening inside Yemen as an internal matter of that country,” he said referring to the conflict between the Yemeni government and the rebels.
