Global Geo-political Series: Saudi Prince killed in gunfight during arrest attempt

A second Saudi Prince has been killed this week.

Following the death of Prince Mansour bin-Muqrin in a helicopter crash near the Yemen border yesterday, the Saudi Royal Court has confirmed the death of Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd, the youngest son of former king Faud, who was killed during a firefight as authorities attempted to arrest him.

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammad bin-Salman, who replaced his elder cousin Mohammad bin-Nayef to become next in line to the throne after his father King Salman by a royal decree has further tightened his grip on power as the newly formed anti-corruption committee arrests 11 princes, several senior officials and incumbent ministers. The king had decreed the creation of a powerful new anti-corruption committee, headed by the crown prince, only hours before the committee ordered the arrests. At 32, the crown prince has already been the dominant voice in Saudi military, foreign, economic and social policies. His vertical rise to power led to At 32, the crown prince is already the dominant voice in Saudi military, foreign, economic and social policies, stirring murmurs of discontent in the royal family that he has amassed too much personal power, and at a remarkably young age.

The people arrested include big names like Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who is one of the richest men on the planet with stakes in western media as well as in western companies like Citigroup, Apple, 21st century Fox, Twitter and many other well-known companies. He was widely considered as the face of Saudi Arabia’s business community and his arrest has sparked a wide range of concerns among foreign investors. According to Forbes, his net worth was estimated at $17 billion.

The death of the Prince shows how serious the crackdown is and clearly signals the beginning of a feud within the Al-Saud Royal family as the new crown prince looks to remove any obstacles to his power.