Fahd bin Turki Al Saud (born August 1959) is a Saudi Arabian prince and military officer who served as the commander of the Saudi-led coalition joint forces operating in Yemen. He was relieved from his position and forced into retirement upon a royal decree issued on 31 August 2020.[1] In June 2021, he was said to have been sentenced to death over an alleged coup attempt.[2]
Fahd bin Turki Al Saud | |
---|---|
Born | August 1959 |
Allegiance | Saudi Arabia |
Service/ | Royal Saudi Land Forces |
Years of service | 1983–2020 |
Rank | Lieutenant general |
Commands held | RSLF Joint forces in Yemen |
Battles/wars | Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen |
Alma mater | U.S. Army Field Artillery School U.S. International University |
Spouse | Abeer bint Abdullah Al Saud |
Prince Fahd was born in August 1959.[3] He is the son of Prince Turki II bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Noura bint Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman, a daughter of his grandfather Ibn Saud's half-brother, Abdullah.[3][4] Prince Fahd's full-brothers are Prince Khalid (born December 1957), Prince Faisal (born January 1965) and Prince Sultan (born May 1968).[3]
Prince Fahd completed the U.S. Army Field Artillery School in 1984.[5] He also has a master's degree in international business administration from the U.S. International University.[5]
Prince Fahd joined the Saudi military in 1983.[5] He first led paratroops and then special forces.[5][6][7] Later he became deputy commander of ground forces and led the joint special operations, including Decisive Storm and Restoring Hope.[8] Until the death of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz who was the defense minister Prince Fahd allied with him.[9]
Prince Fahd was appointed the commander of the Saudi-led coalition joint forces in February 2018.[10] He was the commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces from April 2017.[10][11]
On 31 August 2020 Fahd bin Turki was replaced by Mutlaq bin Salim Al Azaima in the post of Joint Coalition Forces Commander in Yemen.[1] He was forcibly retired following his removal.[12] The reason for Prince Fahd's dismissal was corruption allegations in regard to the transactions at the ministry of defense.[13]
In June 2021, he was said to have been sentenced to death by a military court over an alleged coup attempt to remove King Salman and his son and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman.[2] King Salman and Mohammed bin Salman are Fahd's uncle and cousin, respectively.
The wife of Fahd bin Turki is Abeer bint Abdullah, a daughter of King Abdullah.[14] Fahd bin Turki and Abeer bint Abdullah have four children, one son and three daughters.[15] Their son, Abdulaziz, was named deputy governor of Al Jouf province in 2017.[14][16] His tenure also ended on 31 August 2020 when his father was dismissed.[1][17] One of their daughters married Mishaal bin Sultan Al Saud, son of Prince Sultan, in 2013.[18]
Fahd bin Turki bought a home on La Jolla's Whale Watch Way in San Diego, California, in the late 1970s.[19]