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Senior Russian diplomat slams US plans to build up military presence in Saudi Arabia

Washington earlier announced plans to send additional forces to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks

© AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

MOSCOW, November 20. /TASS/. Washington’s plans to step up its military presence in Saudi Arabia will whip up tensions in the Persian Gulf region, Russian Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told reporters on Wednesday answering a question from TASS.

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"This is just an escalation of tensions. Are they going to fight someone or what?" he said.

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Washington earlier announced plans to send additional forces to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks. The number of US troops in the country will reach 3,000. US officials say that these measures are aimed at countering Iran, which, according to Washington, continues to pose a threat to security in the region and is responsible for attacks on Saudi oil facilities, which occurred in September 2019.

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