Greece Agrees to Saudi Request to Keep Patriot Battery in Kingdom to Protect Yanbu Energy Sites
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis informed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Athens has agreed to Riyadh's request to keep a Greek Patriot battery in the kingdom, which has been protecting energy facilities in Yanbu since 2021.
Greece has agreed to a Saudi request to keep a Patriot air-defense battery of its in the kingdom, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman during their meeting in Riyadh on Sunday, Oct. 25.
Battery protecting energy facilities in Yanbu
The prime minister's office said Greece has contributed to Saudi air defence with a Patriot battery since 2021, and that it protects vital energy facilities in Yanbu on the Red Sea coast, adding that Athens is responding positively to the kingdom's request to keep the missiles amid the current difficult circumstances. No new duration for the deployment or any change in its size was announced.
Greek solidarity and condemnation of the attacks
During the meeting, Mitsotakis condemned the attacks on Saudi Arabia, affirmed his country's practical solidarity with the kingdom at a critical time, and said the Greek presence contributes not only to the kingdom's security but also to the security of the region. The two sides discussed strengthening the strategic partnership between the countries, notably in defence, energy and connectivity.
Amid escalating attacks
The decision comes as Saudi Arabia faces repeated ballistic missile and drone attacks claimed by the Houthis, which have struck airports and energy facilities in the kingdom, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which resumed part of its flights on Sunday.
