Saudi King Axes Top Military Chiefs in Major Shakeup

In a spate of late-night decrees, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has dismissed the kingdom’s top military commanders in a dramatic shakeup, firing even its chief of staff. The heads of the ground forces and air defenses have also been replaced, along with senior officials at the interior ministry, the official Saudi Press Agency reported. No reason was given for the dismissals, but it comes as the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen nears its third year of fighting against Houthi rebels. It also follows a similar shakeup among the Saudi elite last fall, with dozens of princes, ministers, and billionaires arrested amid a purported anti-corruption purge launched by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. The crown prince, who serves as the country’s defense minister, is thought to be the driving force behind many of the kingdom’s recent overhauls, with some viewing his moves as a power grab.