Barran Press
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia issued a royal decree on Thursday, August 29, 2024, appointing Fahd bin Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Salman as the new Commander of the Joint Forces, replacing Mutlaq bin Salem Al-Azima'.
The royal decree, published by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), stated: "The service of Lieutenant General Mutlaq bin Salem bin Mutlaq Al-Azima', Commander of the Joint Forces, is terminated upon his retirement effective from the date of this decree."
Article 4 of the decree promoted Major General Fahd bin Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Salman to the rank of Lieutenant General and appointed him as the Commander of the Joint Forces.
In a separate decree, King Salman appointed Mutlaq bin Salem bin Mutlaq Al-Azima' as an advisor to the Royal Court with the rank of Lieutenant General.
On August 31, 2020, Lieutenant General Mutlaq bin Salem bin Mutlaq Al-Azima', Deputy Chief of Staff of the Saudi Armed Forces, was tasked with leading the Joint Forces. He was officially appointed Commander of the Joint Forces by a royal decree on October 15, 2021, with his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant General.
The Joint Forces manage and coordinate the operations of the Arab Coalition in support of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, including providing support to government forces in their fight against the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries.
On the Yemeni side, the Commander of Joint Operations is Lieutenant General Sagheer bin Aziz, Chief of Staff of the Yemeni Armed Forces.