Saudi Arabia implemented a broad reshuffle of political and military positions on Monday evening, with around 40 posts affected in a move that saw the first female Deputy Minister appointed.
The shake-up was described as “pumping young blood” into local government while also promoting a new guard into the upper echelons of the armed forces.
Correction: #Saudi Major Gen. Turki Bin Bandar bin Abd Aziz promoted to head of Airforce per new decree. Awad Sahim who retired was head of Air Defense. https://t.co/mwNtkq1H9d
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) February 26, 2018
First Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed Al Ruwayli was promoted to Chief of General Staff from previously holding the deputy role, while new chiefs were appointed to the country’s air defence and land forces, according to royal decrees which were reported on by the Saudi Press Agency.
New deputy ministers were appointed to economic and security-related ministries, as well as a slew of new city mayors. Tamadur bint Youssef Al Ramah was made Deputy Labour Minister. Ahmad bin Abdulaziz Qattan, previously the ambassador to Egypt, has been made Minister of State for African affairs.
First #Saudi woman, Tamader bin Yousef Ramah, to be appointed as Deputy minister of labor and social development. Decree now: https://t.co/kttubu5mGm
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) February 26, 2018
The decrees also included the appointment of three deputy governors from among the descendants of Princes Ahmed, Talal and Muqrin – brothers of King Salman.
New deputy minister Tamader bint Yousef al rammah. This may be her twitter account @tyalrammah
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) February 26, 2018
One of them, the new deputy governor of Asir province, Prince Turki bin Talal, is the brother of billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was detained in the government's anti-corruption campaign and only released last month.
Saudi analyst Ahmed Al Towayan, speaking on state television, said the new appointments were "pumping young blood" into local government while elevating young commanders into top military posts.