In a late Friday announcement, Defence Secretary Mark Esper made an announcement of sending troops to Saudi Arabia. US President Donald Trump had approved the deployment. This comes just days after Saudi Aramco’s oil facilities in Saudi Arabia were hit in a drone strike. Not only did they damage the facilities but they also managed to have an impact on five per cent of the global oil supply.
The aim of the deployment according to the announcement is defensive in nature and to bolster the defences of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Defence Secretary Mark Esper alongside with Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff, General Joseph Dunford had made the announcement.
They also said that they are sending the troops in moderate numbers and not tens of thousands of boots on the ground. According to a report in Reuters, The US was also keen on expediting the arms delivery to Saudi Arabia and UAE. It also said that the US was also contemplating the idea of deploying more fighter jets, drones and anti-missile batteries in the area.
Donald Trump during a statement with Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison had told reporters that he has approved of new sanctions against Iran. He further stated how the United States wanted to maintain restraint as he wants to avoid an all-out war.
During the announcement, General Dunford had said that it aims to provide Saudi Arabia with a comprehensive layer of security from such strikes. He also admitted that thwarting such a swarm of attack drones are difficult.
Saudi Arabia has been embroiled in a Military Intervention led by the kingdom in Yemen. They are trying to control the rise of the Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015.