Jump to content

General Intelligence Presidency

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

General Intelligence Presidency (GIP)
رئاسة الاستخبارات العامة
Ri'āsat Al-Istikhbārāt Al-'Āmah as-Suʿūdiyyah
Seal of the General Intelligence Presidency
Agency overview
Formed1955;69 years ago(1955)
Preceding agency
JurisdictionGovernment of Saudi Arabia
HeadquartersRiyadh,Saudi Arabia
Annual budget$500 Million (as of 2006)[1]
Agency executives
Websitewww.gip.gov.sa

TheGeneral Intelligence Presidency(GIP) (Arabic:(ر.ا.ع) رئاسة الاستخبارات العامةRi'āsat Al-Istikhbārāt Al-'Āmah) is the primaryintelligence agencyofSaudi Arabia.

Structure

[edit]

The highest authority for GIP is theKing of Saudi Arabia,King Salman.In accordance with Article 60 of the Basic Law, he has the authority to dismiss and appoint the directors.

From 2005 to 2012,Prince Muqrinwas the Director General of the GIP and Prince Faisal ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammed Al Saud was his deputy.

History

[edit]

The role of intelligence was recognized by KingAbdulaziz Al Saudwho had used it in hisunification of Saudi Arabia.His interest in modern communication increasingly grew when he set up the first radio communications system in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom started the intelligence service in 1955 under the name ofAl-Mabahith Al Aammah.

During the reign of KingSaud bin Abdulaziz,the General Intelligence was separated from theMabahith(General Investigation Directorate). Intelligence was established as an independent security service with the issuing of the Royal Decree 11 in 1957 that ordered the setting up of a special department under the title ofMaslahat Al-Istikhbarat Al-Aammahor (General Intelligence Department).[2]During this period two branches of the Presidency were set up locally, the western branch inJeddah,and eastern one inDhahran.[2]

The GIP expanded under KingFaisal bin Abdulaziz,with the opening of offices abroad. The agency expanded its monitoring of internal threats after the 1979 capture of theGrand Mosquein Mecca.[3]

The GIP's charter was changed by KingKhaled bin Abdulazizin 1982, by Royal Decree M-5, dated 19 December 1982, which set out its responsibilities, duties, and the limits of its activities. This established the internal organization of the agency with a General Department for Operations, the General Department for Administration and Finance, the General Department for Training and Planning, and the General Department for Technical Affairs. Along with the National Research Center, and the Center for Media and International Communications (previously Center for Translation and Media).[2]

In 1997, the Office for External Communications was transferred to the Presidency from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Its name was also changed to the General Department for External Communications, and it was strengthened with the addition of high-tech equipment and specialists in radio surveillance. This period saw the expansion of the activities of the agency abroad with the establishment and development of more offices in other countries, and through more effort to organize its work.

During the reign of KingFahd bin Abdulazizthe Higher Committee for Development was set up and was chaired by the President of the General Intelligence Presidency; its membership consisted of the heads of the various departments of the GIP. Also during the tenure of King Fahd, the administrative structuring of the Information Center was approved.

In late January 2013, interior minister PrinceMuhammad bin Nayefannounced that Saudi women would be allowed to work at the directorate.[4]

Safari Club

[edit]
Main article:Safari Club

TheSafari Clubwas an alliance of intelligence services formed in 1976 that ran covert operations aroundAfricaat a time when theUnited States Congresshad clipped theCIA's wings over years ofabuses.[5]Its formal members wereIran,Egypt,Saudi Arabia,Morocco,andFrance.The group maintained informal connections with theUnited States.

The group executed a successful military intervention inZairein response to aninvasion from Angola.It also provided arms toSomaliain its1977–1978 conflict with Ethiopia.It organized secret diplomacy relating to anti-Communism in Africa, and has been credited with initiating the process resulting in the 1979Egypt–Israel peace treaty.

Soviet Afghan War and Afghan Civil Wars

[edit]
Main articles:Soviet–Afghan War,Afghan Civil War (1989–1992),andAfghan Civil War (1992–1996)

The Soviet–Afghan War lasted over nine years, from December 1979 to February 1989. Insurgent groups known collectively as themujahideen,as well as smallerMaoistgroups, fought aguerrilla waragainst theSoviet Armyand theDemocratic Republic of Afghanistangovernment, mostly in the rural countryside. The mujahideen groups were backed primarily by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, making it aCold Warproxy war.Saudi Arabia would continue to support certain factions of the Mujahedeen against theAfghan governmentofMohammad Najibullahfollowing the withdrawal of Soviet forces from the country.

Iran Contra affair

[edit]
Main article:Iran–Contra affair

Cargo planes bomb plot

[edit]
Main article:2010 Transatlantic aircraft bomb plot

On 29 October 2010, two packages, each containing a bomb consisting of 300 to 400 grams (11–14 oz) ofplastic explosivesand a detonating mechanism, were found on separate cargo planes. The bombs were discovered as a result of intelligence received from Saudi Arabia's security chief. They were bound fromYemento the United States, and were discovered at en route stop-overs, one atEast Midlands Airportin the UK and one inDubaiin theUnited Arab Emirates.

One week later,al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula(AQAP) took responsibility for the plot, and for the crash ofUPS Airlines Flight 6.[6]American and British authorities believedAnwar al-Awlakiof AQAP was behind the bombing attempts, and that the bombs were most likely constructed by AQAP's main explosives expert,Ibrahim Hassan al-Asiri.[7][8]The bombs were probably designed to detonate mid-air, with the intention of destroying both planes over Chicago or another city in the U.S.[9][10]Each bomb had already been transported on passenger andcargo planesat the time of discovery.

Syrian Civil War

[edit]
Main article:Saudi Arabian involvement in the Syrian Civil War

Saudi Arabia's involvement in the Syrian War involved the large-scale supply ofweaponsandammunitionto various rebel groups inSyriaduring theSyrian civil war.

TheFinancial Timesreported in May 2013 thatQatarwas becoming a larger provider of arms to the various groups.[11]In the summer of 2013 Saudi Arabia emerged as the main group financing and arming the rebels.[12]Saudi Arabia financed a large purchase of infantry weapons, such as Yugoslav-made recoilless guns and theM79 Osa,an anti-tank weapon, fromCroatiavia shipments shuttled throughJordan.[13]The weapons began reaching rebels in December 2012 which allowed rebels' small tactical gains against the Syrian army.[13]This shipment was said to be to counter shipments of weapons fromIranto aid the Syrian government.[13]

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar have received criticism from the Western Media for backing certain Syrian rebels associated with theArmy of Conquest,which includes theal-Nusrafront, an al-Qaeda affiliated group.[14]

In August 2017, the Syrian opposition was informed by the Saudi foreign minister that the Kingdom was disengaging from them.[15]Subsequently, Saudi Arabia has taken a more conciliatory stance towards the Syrian government.[16]

Timber Sycamore

[edit]
Main article:Timber Sycamore

Timber Sycamore was a classified weapons supply and training program run by the United StatesCentral Intelligence Agency(CIA) and supported by Arab intelligence services, including the security service in Saudi Arabia. Launched in 2012 or 2013, it supplied money, weaponry and training to rebel forces fighting Syrian PresidentBashar al-Assadin theSyrian civil war.According to US officials, the program trained thousands of rebels.[17][18]

Leadership

[edit]

The first president of Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah wasSheik Kamal Adham,who served from 1965 to 1979.[19][20]ThenTurki Al Faisalserved as the president of Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah until 2001.[21]Prince Turki resigned abruptly from his post tens days before the9/11 attacksin 2001 (in which 14 Saudi nationals hijacked and crashed US commercial airliners) despite having had his appointment extended in May 2001 for another four years.[22]

Nawaf bin Abdulazizreplaced Prince Turki on 1 September 2001. The organization was renamed "The General Intelligence Presidency" during Nawwaf's tenure.[23]Nawwaf was relieved of his duty as the head of GIP by Crown PrinceAbdullahon 25 January 2005. For nine months, nobody was appointed to head the presidency.[24][25]

Then,Muqrin bin Abdulazizwas appointed as head of the General Intelligence Presidency byKing Abdullah bin Abdulazizin October 2005.[26]Additionally, King Abdullah relieved PrinceSaud bin Fahd Al Saudof his duties as vice president of GIP.[27][28]Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammedwas appointed as new vice president of GIP.[27]

On 20 July 2012Prince Bandar bin Sultanwas appointed director general of Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah, replacingMuqrin bin Abdulaziz.[29]Another Saudi royal,Prince Abdulaziz bin Bandar,who had been vice head of the directorate, was relieved from his post, and Youssef bin Ali Al Idrisi replaced him as vice head in October 2012.[30]

On 15 April 2014 Prince Bandar bin Sultan was removed from his position "at his own request" according to the announcement in the Saudi state media.[31][32]It was reported that Prince Bandar would be replaced by his deputy,Youssef bin Ali Al Idrissi.[33]

However,Khalid bin Bandar Al Saudbecame the director general of the Al Mukhabarat Al A'amah on 30 June 2014.[34]His term ended on 29 January 2015 whenKhalid bin Ali Al Humaidanreplaced him in the post.[35]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^Anthony Cordesman. (2006).Saudi Arabia: National Security in a Troubled Region.Center for Strategic and International Studies. p. 234.ISBN9780313380761.
  2. ^abcNigel West (21 May 2015).Historical Dictionary of International Intelligence.Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 302.ISBN978-1-4422-4957-8.
  3. ^Max Fisher (November 2010)."What We Can Learn From Saudi Intelligence".The Atlantic.Retrieved10 February2013.
  4. ^"Saudi women allowed to work for intelligence agency".Al Akhbar.29 January 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 11 February 2013.Retrieved10 February2013.
  5. ^U.S. Relies Heavily on Saudi Money to Support Syrian Rebels,The New York Times,23 January 2016
  6. ^"Yemen-based al Qaeda group claims responsibility for parcel bomb plot".CNN.November 5, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2010.RetrievedNovember 5,2010.
  7. ^Lauren Etter (October 31, 2010)."Chicago Synagogue Cites Web Visits From Egypt".The Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on February 1, 2016.RetrievedApril 5,2014.
  8. ^"Al-Qaeda plot: flight ban on freight from Somalia".Telegraph.London. November 1, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on November 2, 2010.RetrievedNovember 1,2010.
  9. ^"Parcel bomb plotters 'used dry run', say US officials".BBC News.November 2, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on November 11, 2010.RetrievedNovember 12,2010.
  10. ^Frank Gardner (October 31, 2010)."Dubai bomb was flown on passenger planes".BBC News.Archivedfrom the original on November 1, 2010.RetrievedOctober 31,2010.
  11. ^Roula Khalaf; Abigail Fielding Smith (16 May 2013)."Qatar bankrolls Syrian revolt with cash and arms".Financial Times.Archivedfrom the original on 11 December 2022.Retrieved3 June2013.(subscription required)
  12. ^Saudi edges Qatar to control Syrian rebel supportretrieved 6 June 2013
  13. ^abcC. J. Chivers; Eric Schmitt (26 February 2013)."In Shift, Saudis Are Said to Arm Rebels in Syria".The New York Times.Retrieved28 May2012.
  14. ^Kim Sengupta (12 May 2015)."Turkey and Saudi Arabia alarm the West by backing Islamist extremists the Americans had bombed in Syria".The Independent.
  15. ^"Victory for Assad looks increasingly likely as world loses interest in Syria".The Guardian.31 August 2017.
  16. ^Leith Aboufadel (7 November 2018)."Syria and Saudi Arabia to potentially reconcile after UAE reopens Damascus embassy".Archived fromthe originalon 30 April 2019.Retrieved30 April2019.
  17. ^Mark Mazzetti; Ali Younes (26 June 2016)."C.I.A. Arms for Syrian Rebels Supplied Black Market, Officials Say".The New York Times.Retrieved20 September2016.
  18. ^Andrea Barrile (28 June 2016). "Che fine fanno le armi USA ai ribelli siriani?".International Business Times Italy.
  19. ^Baquet, Dean (30 July 1992)."After Plea Bargain by Sheik, Question Is What He Knows".The New York Times.Retrieved26 February2013.
  20. ^"Prince Nawaf new intelligence chief".Arab News.1 September 2001.Retrieved6 April2013.
  21. ^"Prince Turki's resume".The New York Times.2 August 2005.Retrieved26 February2013.
  22. ^Arnaud de Borchgrave (2 August 2005)."Saudi Arabian princes that match 007 and George Smiley".Mathaba.Archived fromthe originalon 13 May 2015.Retrieved26 February2013.
  23. ^Anthony H. Cordesman; Nawaf Obaid."Saudi Internal Security: A Risk Assessment"(PDF).Center for Strategic and International Studies.Retrieved21 April2012.[permanent dead link]
  24. ^Anthony H. Cordesman (2009).Saudi Arabia: National Security in a Troubled Region.Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO.ISBN978-0-313-38089-1.
  25. ^"Prince Moqrin head of Saudi intelligence".Riyadh: UPI. 22 October 2005.Retrieved6 April2013.
  26. ^"Prince Miqrin Appointed President of General Intelligence".SAMIRAD.22 October 2005. Archived from the original on 2 February 2013.Retrieved10 February2013.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ^abAnthony H. Cordesman; Khalid R. Rodhan (2007).Gulf Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric Wars.Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 235.ISBN978-0-275-99399-3.
  28. ^"King Abdullah: The First Hundred Days".Asharq Alawsat.7 November 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 12 December 2013.Retrieved5 April2013.
  29. ^Ellen Knickmeyer (20 July 2012)."Saudi Appointment Suggests Bigger Regional Ambitions".The Wall Street Journal.Retrieved20 July2012.
  30. ^"Saudi Arabia replaces deputy chief of intelligence".Al Arabiya.5 October 2013.Retrieved10 February2013.
  31. ^"Saudi Arabia replaces intelligence chief".The Guardian.AFP. 15 April 2014.Retrieved17 April2014.
  32. ^"Saudi intelligence chief Bandar bin Sultan Removed".BBC.16 April 2014.
  33. ^Ian Black (16 April 2014)."End of an era as Prince Bandar departs Saudi intelligence post".The Guardian.Retrieved17 April2014.
  34. ^"Saudi Arabia's Prince Khalid bin Bandar named intel chief".Dhownet.1 July 2014.Retrieved1 February2015.
  35. ^"King Salman makes appointments".Royal Embassy, Washington DC.29 January 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 2 February 2015.Retrieved1 February2015.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=General_Intelligence_Presidency&oldid=1247810609"