Saudi Arabia deploys "Peninsula Shield" forces near Jordan

Beirut, Lebanon (MENO) - Saudi Arabia has deployed troops to the northwest of the kingdom over the past two weeks following Israeli airforce "activity" over the kingdom's border with Jordan, a Gulf military source said on Tuesday.

"Saudi Arabia has been deploying military reinforcements over the past two weeks to Tabuk province, close to the border with Jordan," the source told AFP.

The deployment "was decided after the Saudi military command noted Israeli air activity above border zones" between the kingdom and Jordan, he added.

The Saudi army is preparing for "any eventuality that could result from Israeli aggression in the region," he said. Units from the joint military force of the six Gulf Arab monarchies, dubbed "Peninsula Shield", also received the order to deploy to Tabuk from their base in Hafr al-Baten in northeastern Saudi Arabia. "Mechanised infantry units moved towards the Tabuk region three days ago. But they then received the order to return to base," the source said.