Mubasher: Satellite imagery has revealed a ballistic missile facility deep in the Saudi desert spotlights Riyadh’s growing investment in its independent warfighting capabilities, US defense experts said, as reported by CNBC.
The alleged Saudi ballistic missile base signals further desire by the longtime ally for taking offensive measures without granting approval of its main weapons sponsors in Washington, CNBC added.
“Whiplash policy changes in Washington have had their impact on Riyadh: Saudi authorities are no longer going to be constrained by White House whispers. The Saudis are demonstrating that they can take matters into their own hands,” former Pentagon official and Arab affairs expert at the American Enterprise Institute Michael Rubin told CNBC.
The ballistic missiles can carry nuclear warheads that may target thousands of miles from their launch point, CNBC noted.
CNBC stated that “China’s Ministry of Defense, its foreign ministry and the embassy in Riyadh did not immediately respond when asked for comment by CNBC. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying responded to the Associated Press last week, saying: “I have never heard of such a thing as China helping Saudi Arabia to build a missile base.” Pakistan’s Ministry of Defense, its foreign ministry and its Saudi embassy also did not immediately respond when contacted by CNBC.”
CNBC’s Hadley Gamble in Riyadh on Monday has interviewed the Saudi energy minister Khalid Al Falih said, “I really don’t have any information one way or another, so I can’t confirm or deny,” in response to a question about the base. “But I would say that Saudi Arabia is today a receiver, unfortunately, of a barrage of ballistic missiles that are being launched at civilian installations … the kingdom needs to look after its own defense, our own interest.”
