Abdel Halim Khaddam, the deputy of Hafez al-Assad, has revealed the significant role played by Saudi Arabia and an Arab alliance with the United States in pressuring Israel to prevent it from waging war against Syria. In his memoirs published by Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Khaddam stated that in the summer of 1981, Israel shot down two Syrian helicopters in the Bekaa Valley while they were on a combat mission against the “Lebanese Forces” in Zahle and Sanin, Lebanon.
He added, “In response, Syria deployed anti-aircraft missiles (SAM) in the Bekaa Valley. Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin reacted by issuing threats to Damascus, demanding the removal of these missiles through ‘special means’ unless Syria withdrew them.”
Khaddam also noted that Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and other countries engaged in “combat activities” with the US administration, particularly Saudi Arabia. He stated, “King Khalid bin Abdulaziz sent several letters to President Ronald Reagan, warning against supporting Israel in its aggression against Syria, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia and all Arab nations would stand together with Syria.”
Furthermore, Khaddam continued by mentioning that the then Crown Prince, Prince Fahd bin Abdulaziz, had asserted that if Israel were to attack Syria, all Arab countries would fight alongside Syria.
