RIYADH — Defense Minister Prince Muhammad bin Salman held meetings with senior Arab security officials over the weekend to discuss the latest regional developments. The Defense Minister met with Egypt's Chief of Intelligence Khalid Fawzi on Thursday, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). On Friday, he received Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy national security advisor of the United Arab Emirates, upon his arrival in Riyadh. They held a meeting during which they discussed military operations within “Operation Decisive Storm” against Houthis in Yemen, SPA added. Prince Muhammad Bin Salman also met Qatar's Minister of State for Defense Affairs Maj. Gen. Hamad Bin Ali Al-Atiya as he arrived in Riyadh Friday. Saudi armed forces deploy in Al-Harth region Border Guards' commander of the Harth area, bordering Yemen, told Al Arabiya News Channel that armed forces deployed along their side in some locations to provide held and confront any possible ground aggression. Col. Hassan Oqaili said that since “Operation Decisive Storm” began on early Thursday, some armed men headed from inside Yemen towards Saudi borders, adding that his forces monitored this activity and informed the armed forces of it, dealing with it directly. He added that Border Guards stationed in the area of Jabal Al-Dukhan, in particular, are conducting over 100 patrols over the course of 24 hours. According to the Saudi colonel, the patrols are covering 68 kms of borders with Yemen from the side of Al-Harth area. He added that there's accurate coordination with other sectors, particularly with the armed forces. Saudi Arabia has waged “Decisive Storm” against the Houthi coup in Yemen and in support of legitimate President Abedrabbu Mansour Hadi. A coalition of all GCC countries, barring Oman, is taking part in the campaign, including Sudan, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Pakistan. — SPA/Al-Arabiya
