May 11, 2024
Release Number 20240511 - 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. - From May 9-10 Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to meet with leaders of the Saudi Royal Armed Forces and senior U.S. diplomats. The visit is part of an ongoing multi-country trip to the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
While in Saudi Arabia, Gen. Kurilla engaged with Chief of General Staff, Gen. Fayyadh al-Ruwaili and other Saudi senior military leaders. The leaders discussed shared regional security concerns, the status of humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip, and further opportunities to partner on innovation of defensive technologies.
Gen. Kurilla also met with the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen, Steven Fagin. The leaders discussed current security challenges in the region, with particular emphasis on Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
"The Royal Saudi Armed Forces are a critical security partner in the region as we address regional security challenges through interoperable organizations and capabilities," said Gen. Kurilla. "Building on our over seven decades of direct military partnership, we continue to work together to achieve our shared goals."
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