King Salman has issued a royal decree ordering the sacking of Saudi Commander of the Joint Forces in Yemen Lt. Gen. Fahad bin Turki bin Abdul Aziz and the launch of a probe into corruption.
Jouf Deputy Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahad bin Turki bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud was also fired and referred for investigation.
The monarch’s decision was based on a referral from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Control and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) to look into what the decree described as “suspicious financial dealings monitored at the Ministry of Defense.”
According to the decree, Nazaha “disclosed financial corruption” at the ministry linked to the military chief and the prince. A number of officers, civil officials, and others have also been placed under investigation.
The king said in his decree that the service of Abdul Aziz had been “terminated by referring him to retirement and referring him to investigation,” and that Deputy Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Mutlaq bin Salim bin Mutlaq Al-Azima be assigned to take over the commander’s duties.
The decree named others to be investigated as Yousef bin Rakan bin Hindi Al-Otaibi, Mohammed bin Abdulkarim bin Mohammed Al-Hassan, Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al-Ajlan, and Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al-Khalifah.
It added: “(Nazaha) shall complete the investigation procedures with all relevant military and civil officials, take the necessary legal measures against them and submit the outcomes.”