Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman promoted the new head of the naval forces, Fahd bin Abdulla Al-Ghufaili, to the rank of admiral on Tuesday, Saudi media reported.
Al-Ghufaili was named to the after King Salman fired the Saudi Naval Forces commander Admiral Abdullah bin Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Sultan on Saturday.
“The Crown Prince wished Admiral Al-Ghufaili all the success with his entrusted new appointment,” Al Arabiya reported.
Al-Sultan’s firing came as the crown prince ordered the detention of dozens of Saudi princes, ministers and former officials. There was no official explanation for the admiral’s ousting. National guard minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah was also fired.
As Naval Forces commander, Al-Ghufaili will lead a force of some 60,000 naval personnel and more than 12,000 Marines along with an expanding fleet of ships.