Saudi Arabia replaces senior military commanders

The Saudi Arabian government issued royal decrees on Thursday that announced changes to the leadership of its joint forces, navy, and land forces, according to the state news agency SPA.

The chief of general staff, Lieutenant-General Fayyad bin Hamed al-Ruwayli, was permitted to remain in his position.

The subsequent most senior military position, commander of the joint forces, will be assumed by Lieutenant General Fahd bin Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Salman, who was promoted from the rank of major general, according to the decree.

The Royal Court has appointed Lieutenant General Mutlaq bin Salem bin Mutlaq Al-Azima, who was previously in that position, as an advisor. He will be retiring from military service.

The deputy director of the general staff was appointed as Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah bin Saleh al-Ghufaili, the former head of the navy.

A former chief of the land forces will be appointed as an advisor to the office of the minister of defense.