Riyadh: General Michael Eric Kurilla, Commander of the US Central Command, visited members of the US Armed Forces in Saudi Arabia and held meetings with key leaders in the Kingdom. The US Central Command said in a statement that General Kurilla met with Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces, and his senior staff.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the two commanders discussed common security concerns and their mutual commitment to addressing emerging threats in the region, and the importance of joint readiness through interoperability. General Kurilla and General Al-Ruwaili emphasized the importance of deepening bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly through joint military exercises, building interoperability and readiness, and capacity building programs.

The meeting affirmed the enduring strategic partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which remains a key partner in maintaining regional security, stability, peace, and prosperity in the region. The command stated that the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a strategic partnership for more than eight decades.

The statement also indicated that while in Saudi Arabia, General Kurilla met with Lieutenant General Sagheer Hamoud bin Aziz, Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces, who traveled from Yemen to attend the visit. The two sides discussed efforts to enhance security cooperation and combat regional threats such as the Houthis and their attacks on military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. They also discussed strategies to enhance the operational capabilities of the Yemeni Armed Forces. The two leaders agreed to continue building on the partnership through future engagements.

The meeting also affirmed the commitment of the US Central Command to promoting peace, stability, and security throughout the region.