Prince Khaled commended the support given by the Najran forces to those of Jazan to drive away Yemeni infiltrators who attacked a border post and occupied some villages in Jazan in November.
“Your support had played a big role in achieving a clear victory against the aggressors,” he said. “We should be well-prepared to deal with any situation with a sense of responsibility inspired by our faith in God and patriotism,” he added.
Later speaking to reporters, he confirmed that Saudi Arabia had handed over 32 of the infiltrators’ bodies. “We’ll continue to search for bodies and hand them over to the Yemenis,” he said.
Prince Khaled warned intruders against entering the Kingdom. “Those who violate Saudi borders, we consider it a battleground,” he said. He also renewed his call to the Yemeni government to deploy its forces along the Saudi border to prevent fresh intrusions.
Asked whether the Kingdom was worried about its southern border, the minister said: “We don’t have any worry but we’ll be always vigilant to protect our borders. Nobody should think we would slowdown our readiness after the war. On the contrary, our readiness will be much stronger.” The minister reiterated his support to the armed forces, adding that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the supreme commander, and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, were following matters relating to them. He emphasized the armed forces’ role in protecting the Kingdom, its people, the holy mosques and the country’s resources.
“Saudi Arabia has achieved a leading position in the comity of nations as a result of its wise domestic and foreign policies,” he said.
Prince Khaled emphasized the government’s resolve to strengthen the armed forces. “The development projects go hand in hand with the efforts to bolster our forces that defend our country and repel those who want to harm the Kingdom.” He highlighted the strategic importance of Najran, which is surrounded by mountains and located close to the Empty Quarter, one of the world’s largest deserts.
Prince Khaled was accompanied by Najran Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah.
Two weeks ago, Crown Prince Sultan visited forces in Jazan and commended the high fighting capabilities and skills displayed by Saudi soldiers during their war with Yemeni infiltrators.
Prince Sultan announced a donation of SR50 million for armed forces stationed along the border in Jazan. He ordered special assistance to families of the dead and injured soldiers. Before that, King Abdullah visited the forces in Jazan and ordered SR1 million be given to each of the families of soldiers killed during the fighting.
In a previous statement, Prince Khaled bin Sultan called on Sanaa to deploy its armed forces along the country’s northern border to prevent Yemenis from infiltrating into the Kingdom. He said the Kingdom would continue to deploy forces along its southern border to protect the country from intruders.
