Together with Saudi Arabia, we are preparing an innovative “trap” to deal with the protesters

At the time he revealed an innovative US-Saudi “trap” in collaboration with partners in the region, to work on developing a center to test innovative initiatives to combat drones, General Michael Korella, commander of the US Central Command , underlined his country’s commitment to deepen cooperation and coordination between the US Central Command and all its partners in the region to combat the joint Iran-Houthi threat to attack the Kingdom with drones.

Kurella added, in an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat: “We will continue anti-smuggling operations with the Royal Saudi Navy to stop the shipment of advanced conventional munitions by sea to support Houthi operations. We have finally succeeded in preventing the entry of explosive materials into the region from Iran”, underlining the inevitability of military cooperation between Riyadh and Washington to improve the security and stability of the region.

And the US Central Command commander continued: “On Nov. 8, our forces intercepted a stateless dhow in the Gulf of Oman originating from Iran that was smuggling a huge amount of explosive materials into Yemen, including 360,000 lbs. of fertilizer (urea) which is used in explosives and (ammonium chlorate), used as fuel for ballistic missiles.

Regarding the scope of the Saudi-US military cooperation strategy, the commander of US Central Command said, “The Saudi military is among Central Command’s most reliable and capable partners. Our military cooperation is essential to enhance security and stability in the region. This is a strategic cooperation that serves all nations and the entire Middle East.

In response to comments by observers that US military cooperation was not enough to deter the Houthis in Yemen, Kurella stressed that integrated air and missile defense and disruption of advanced conventional weapons manufactured in Iran, including those supplied to Houthi, are functional priorities for them and their military partners. .

He added: “This is why events are so important, such as the meeting of the Joint Military Planning Committee on November 16, hosted by the Saudi Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili; As these opportunities enhance bilateral military cooperation between the United States and Saudi Arabia and enhance security and stability in the region.

Regarding the US-Saudi Arabian plan to tackle drones from Yemen, Kurella said, “The central command supports the Kingdom in defending its lands and people from Houthi attacks across the border. We remain committed to deepening cooperation and coordination between U.S. Central Command and all of our partners in the region to combat this common unmanned aircraft threat. population.

And the commander of US Central Command acknowledged that Iran poses a threat to international peace and security in general, and to the region in particular, noting that Tehran is considered the main destabilizing actor in the entire region, “I was clear and consistent about this.”

“We still see Iran as the biggest threat to regional security and stability,” Kurella said. The regime provides arms, money, support and guidance to proxies across the region who carry out acts of terrorism, subvert local governments, all to advance Iranian interests, and all work against the stability and security of the region.”

He added: “We are currently working to continuously improve the monitoring of threat flows in the region and are in constant contact with our partners. When necessary, we will not hesitate to act to defend our forces or our partners in the region. The commitment of the Central Command in the region is firm.