Saudi Arabia will allow Russia to set up a base if sanctioned by the US
A leading Saudi media figure has warned that US sanctions against Riyadh over the disappearance of journalist Khashoggi could result in Russia opening a military base in the kingdom.
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| Russian Sukhoi aircraft at a base in Latakia, Syria. Photo: Sputnik |
The CEO of a Saudi state-owned media company has written a commentary suggesting that if the United States imposes sanctions in response to the disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the situation could lead to Saudi Arabia allowing Russia to build a military base.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced on October 11 that Washington would not stop selling weapons to Riyadh in connection with the case of journalist Khashoggi - who has been missing since October 2 after entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul to complete procedures for his marriage to a Turkish woman. President Trump ordered an investigation into the case and announced that he would not impose sanctions at this time.
Despite Türkiye’s claims that Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate, and claims to have audio and video recordings to prove it, the Saudi government has repeatedly denied any involvement. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said his government “has nothing to hide.”
On October 14, the Saudi government affirmed that it would respond with "greater action" if the US imposed sanctions. While the government denied any involvement, Turki Aldakhil, editor-in-chief of Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya news channel, said in an essay that if the US took aggressive action, the Saudi government would cause oil prices to skyrocket and allow Russia to build a military base.
If Saudi Arabia is indeed responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance, Senator Marco Rubio said the US should act quickly to punish its Middle Eastern ally.
