- News>
- World
Saudi Arabia permits use of its bases for bombing Iraq
Washington, Feb 26: The United States and Saudi Arabia have a tacit agreement that will allow the United States to conduct bombing missions from the kingdom against Iraq, media reported today.
Washington, Feb 26: The United States and Saudi Arabia have a tacit agreement that will allow the United States to conduct bombing missions from the kingdom against Iraq, media reported today.
The two countries have reached new agreements that will
allow expanded US air operations from Saudi territory,
including full use of prince sultan air base as an operations
centre, in the event of war against Iraq, according to senior
officials and diplomats.
United States will be allowed to conduct bombing missions from Saudi Arabia against Iraq after an initial wave of US air attacks as long as no public announcement was made, the Washington Post said.
"We have had talks over the past three weeks that have been very productive, and both we and the Saudis are satisfied," an administration official said yesterday.
"We have reached agreements that affect facilities inside Saudi Arabia and a broad array of military operations that could happen in the event of hostilities with Iraq," the official was quoted as saying by the Post.
In addition to the use of the air command and control centre at prince sultan, the paper said, the agreement will allow the us to fly refuelling aircraft, Awacs surveillance planes and Jstars battlefield radar aircraft from Saudi airfields.
The US, the sources said, will also be permitted to use Saudi airfields to base fighter jets that undertake interception missions against Iraqi aircraft and that enforce the "no-fly" zone over southern Iraq.
Bureau Report
United States will be allowed to conduct bombing missions from Saudi Arabia against Iraq after an initial wave of US air attacks as long as no public announcement was made, the Washington Post said.
"We have had talks over the past three weeks that have been very productive, and both we and the Saudis are satisfied," an administration official said yesterday.
"We have reached agreements that affect facilities inside Saudi Arabia and a broad array of military operations that could happen in the event of hostilities with Iraq," the official was quoted as saying by the Post.
In addition to the use of the air command and control centre at prince sultan, the paper said, the agreement will allow the us to fly refuelling aircraft, Awacs surveillance planes and Jstars battlefield radar aircraft from Saudi airfields.
The US, the sources said, will also be permitted to use Saudi airfields to base fighter jets that undertake interception missions against Iraqi aircraft and that enforce the "no-fly" zone over southern Iraq.
Bureau Report