A Saudi opposition official reiterated to Albawaba.com that Riyadh has evacuated two military bases in the towns of A'ra'r and Tabouk near the border with Iraq in order to be ready for their use by American forces. He added the US military has deployed a large number of military aircraft in these bases.
Speaking from his London’s office, the Head of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA), Saad al Fakih, told Albawaba.com “this move by the Saudi government is an evidence that it has taken a strategic decision to contribute to the imminent war against Iraq.” “This move has been taken by the Saudis amid their realization of the American intentions to make changes in the region after the war is over and that Saudi Arabia would be one of the countries which will be affected by these changes,” added Fakih.
The Washington Post said on February 26,2003 that Washington and Riyadh reached an agreement to extend the military operations against Iraq by giving the US military the right to fully utilize Prince Sultan military base but Riyadh denied the news report and existence of such agreements.
Saudi Arabia, according to Fakih, considered three scenarios before reaching the agreement with the United States. First, a potential US control of Iraq will mean the collapse of oil prices and subsequently will have deleterious effects on the Saudi economy. The second scenario is linked to the possible disintegration, which Iraq may face after the US invasion and the emergence of an Iran-backed Shiite State in south Iraq. This state may constitute a huge threat to the kingdom. The third scenario is considered the worst by Fakih.
He said if al Qaeda threats of a major operation in the United States are implemented, the United States may be forced to leave the area, a move that will put the whole region under the mercy of Saddam who may invade other Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia. Some 5,000 US soldiers are stationed at Price Sultan base, about 80 kilometers south of Riyadh. The American planes, which impose the no fly-zone over the north and south of Iraq, take off from this base. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
