RIYADH - Saudi Arabia, one of the countries that blocked Qatar, threatened to take military action against Qatar if it buys Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system.
The French daily Le Monde reported on Friday (1/6) local time. In his report mentioned that King Salman had written a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, whose contents expressed his 'deep concern' over the ongoing negotiations between Qatar and Russia over the purchase of the S-400 anti-aircraft weapons system.
In his letter, King Salman stressed that the purchase of S-400 by Qatar would jeopardize Saudi security interests. King Salman urged France to increase pressure on Qatar to prevent buying S-400 air defense system
"(In such a situation), the Kingdom (Saudi Arabia) will be ready to take all necessary steps to eliminate this defense system, including military action," King Salman said in his letter.
The French newspaper obtained King Salman's letter material through a source close to the Elysee Palace.
In January, Qatar's ambassador to Russia said talks for the purchase of the S-400 air defense system had entered an advanced stage.
The talks between Moscow and Doha came after the signing military and technical cooperation agreement between the two countries in October 2017.
As is known, Qatar was involved in an armed conflict with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt after the Doha accused of supporting terrorism. The four countries have severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and blockaded the small, wealthy Gulf-rich state.
Doha has denied allegations of supporting terrorism. In contrast, Qatar feels a victim of blackmail of its Arab neighbors.
The Saudis have signed an initial agreement to purchase Russia's S-400 missile defense system. The signing of the agreement took place in October last year when King Salman visited Moscow.
Pavel Felgenhauer, a Russian-based defense analyst, told Al Jazeera on Saturday (2/6/2018) Saudi threat could not succeed in pressuring Qatar to buy Moscow's defense missile system.
"Russia has for several years tried to build some kind of trade relationship with Saudi Arabia, but it did not really work out," Felgenhauer said.
S-400, or SA-21 Growler according to NATO code, is a defense system that is claimed to be able to detect and deflect every object that leads to the user's country. Starting from a strategic bomber plane, unmanned aircraft, tactical fighter jets, to ballistic missiles of various shapes and sizes.
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