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Monday, October 7

Uh oh. "Arab Paper: Al-Fagham Killed by MbS for Relaying Yemen War Intel to Saudi King"

Is it true? Well what does it matter, now that the story is in an Arab newspaper? I'm passing along the story because I think it underscores the growing disenchantment in Saudi Arabia regarding participation in the Yemen War. But Al Fagham was greatly respected by the Saudi public, so I can see how his death would generate any number of claims about how he died. 

Most of the following FARS report repeats earlier ones because the claim by the Arab paper, which doesn't seem backed any evidence, is just a few sentences.   


FARS
October 6, 2019

TEHRAN (FNA)- Major-General Abdul Aziz al-Fagham, the bodyguard of King Salman, was killed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for informing his father about the realities of the war against Yemen.

The Arabic-language al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper wrote that King Salman has lost his confidence in nearly everyone, including his crown prince, and had entrusted al-Fagham with Yemen war affairs.

"Al-Fagham had informed the Saudi King about the realities of Yemen war, attacks against Aramco and dissatisfaction of military officers with bin Salman's behaviors and this has persuaded the MbS to kill the loyal bodyguard of his father," it added.

The newspaper also accused the MbS of killing several other officers in whom he had lost confidence, and pointed out that a number of officers who accompanied him in official ceremonies are no more present.

In relevant remarks last Monday, a dissident Saudi prince who lives in Germany had also blamed Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of two royal bodyguards, saying that the MbS wants to declare himself as the new king soon.

Khalid bin Farhan al-Saud wrote on his twitter page that "we will soon witness the betrayer bin Salman to introduce himself as the king".

He referred to the death of Faisal al-Sho'aibi, one of King Salman's bodyguards, in August 2015 in Morocco and the recent killing of al-Fagham, 47, who had been widely known as the king’s most trusted personal protection officer, and said MbS plans to soon declare himself as the king after excluding his father's royal guards.

Farhan revealed that the plan is being implemented in collaboration with the CIA, saying that they want to replace the royal guard with the Blackwater mercenaries to pave the ground for the MbS to ascend to the throne.

The media spokesman of the Makkah Province Police confirmed late last week that the personal bodyguard of the Saudi king was shot dead during a personal dispute.

The spokesman claimed that Maj. Gen Abdul Aziz bin Badah al-Fagham was visiting a friend's house when he was shot.

The Saudi social media activists wrote on their pages that the death of al-Fagham seems suspicious given the presence of security forces outside his house and their immediate killing shots given to his killer which could have been an attempt to close the case immediately.

Also, Ali al-Ahmad, a Saudi journalist, wrote on his twitter page that al-Fagham was fired from his job a few days ago which makes his death even more suspicious.

He added that the bodyguard was witnessed several days ago while he was walking alone in Jeddah which is strange, given his rank and position, and given the fact that he should have been right beside King Salman.

A social media activist described al-Fagham's death as similar to the brutal killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was killed upon a direct order by bin Salman.

Khashoggi was killed and his body dismembered after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, to collect documents related to his planned wedding.

After initially offering contradictory statements, Saudi Arabia confirmed its agents killed Khashoggi, but denied its senior leaders were involved.

US intelligence agencies have reportedly concluded, however, that MbS ordered the murder, and a UN right expert found "credible evidence" linking the Crown Prince to the killing.

Also, Saudi whistle-blower Mujtahid, who is believed to be a member of or have a well-connected source in the royal family, said that bin Salman had several times voiced his willingness to omit the newly-killed bodyguard of King Salman.

The Arabic-language al-Nashrah news website quoted Mujtahid as saying that al-Fagham was in the palace at the time of murder and not at a friend's residence as claimed by the government.

"The MbS was not confident about al-Fagham's loyalty to the crown prince and he had several times voiced willingness to omit him," he added.

Meantime, Mohammed al-Moaseri, a Saudi dissident residing in London, had warned 5 months ago about the possibility for al-Fagham's assassination by the MbS.

He had cautioned al-Fagham that bin Salman would one day take him and his team out to replace them a group of Colombian Blackwater agents.

Social media activists have voiced suspicion about al-Fagham's death, describing it as assassination.

Gun crimes are rare in Saudi Arabia, where strict law sees convicted killers and drug smugglers routinely executed. In 2017, there were 419 reported homicides, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

[END REPORT]

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