Saudi Troops Mass on Border With Jordan Following Reports of Israeli Military Buildup

April 23, 2002

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia has sent eight brigades to its border with Jordan after receiving intelligence reports that Israel was massing troops along the Jordanian border, Saudi officials said Tuesday.

In Israel, an army spokesman said Israel had not increased its troops along the border with Jordan.

Some countries neighboring Israel have stepped up their military readiness in response to Israel's call-up of its reserves, a U.S. official in Washington has said recently. However, there was no sign of any offensive activities, according to the official.

The eight brigades, compromising 8,000 soldiers equipped with armored personnel carriers and missile launchers, moved into the Tabuk region in northern Saudi Arabia, the officials said.

They said Saudi intelligence reports showed that Israeli forces had amassed on Israel's southern border with Jordan. A 25-kilometer (15.5-mile) strip of Jordanian territory separates Israel from Saudi Arabia.

Orders for the brigades to advance to the border were given last week, said the officials.

The officials said the Saudi air force was instructed to intercept Israeli fighters that enter Saudi airspace and engage them only if the Israeli fighters didn't leave.

Tabuk is about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) northeast of the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia, which does not recognize the state of Israel, proposed a peace plan in March that offers Arab recognition of Israel in exchange for a full retreat from war-won lands and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The massing of troops on the border coincides with a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah to the United States on Tuesday. He is due to meet U.S. President George Bush in Texas on Thursday.

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