At a time when he revealed an innovative American-Saudi “trap” in cooperation with partners in the region, to work on developing a center to test innovative initiatives to combat drones, General Michael Korella, commander of the US Central Command, stressed his country’s commitment to deepening cooperation and coordination between the US Central Command and all Its partners in the region to combat the joint Iranian-Houthi threat to attack the Kingdom with drones.
Kurella added, in an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat: “We will continue anti-smuggling operations with the Royal Saudi Navy to stop the shipment of advanced conventional munitions by sea to support Houthi operations. And we finally succeeded in preventing the entry of explosive materials into the region from Iran,” stressing the inevitability of military cooperation between Riyadh and Washington to enhance the security and stability of the region.
And the commander of the US Central Command continued: “On November 8, our forces intercepted a stateless dhow in the Gulf of Oman originating from Iran smuggling a massive amount of explosive materials into Yemen, including 360,000 pounds of fertilizer (urea) that is used in Explosives, and (ammonium chlorate), which is used as fuel for ballistic missiles.
Regarding the extent of the Saudi-American military cooperation strategy, the commander of the US Central Command said: “The Saudi armed forces are among the most reliable and capable partners of the Central Command. Our military cooperation is critical to enhancing security and stability in the region. This is a strategic cooperation that serves all nations and the entire Middle East.
In response to observers’ comments that US military cooperation was not sufficient to deter the Houthis in Yemen, Kurella stressed that integrated air and missile defense and the disruption of advanced conventional weapons produced in Iran, including those supplied to the Houthis, are functional priorities for them and their military partners. .
He added, “This is why events are so important, such as the meeting of the Joint Military Planning Committee on November 16 hosted by the Chief of the Saudi Royal Staff, Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili; As these opportunities enhance bilateral military cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and enhance security and stability in the region.
Regarding the US-Saudi plan to deal with drones from Yemen, Korella said: “The central command supports the Kingdom in defending its lands and people from Houthi attacks across the border. We remain committed to deepening cooperation and coordination between the US Central Command and all of our partners in the region to combat this common threat of unmanned aircraft. , recognizing that it threatens the US military and partner forces, as well as the lives of the local population.
And the commander of the US Central Command acknowledged that Iran poses a threat to international peace and security in general, and the region in particular, noting that Tehran is considered the main destabilizing player throughout the region, “I was clear and consistent about that.”
“We still see Iran as the biggest threat to regional security and stability,” Kurella said. The regime provides weapons, money, support, and guidance to proxies across the region who engage in acts of terrorism, subvert local governments, all in order to advance Iranian interests, and all of them work against the stability and security of the region.”
He added, “We are currently working to continuously enhance monitoring of threat flows in the region, and we are in constant contact with our partners. When needed, we will not hesitate to take action to defend our forces or our partners in the region. Central Command’s commitment to the region is firm.