US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper has said that Washington will deploy additional troops and air defense equipment to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates to beef up their security.

In a statement, he said President Donald Trump has approved the deployment of U.S. forces which will be defensive in nature.       

He said it's a response to requests from the Saudis and the UAE to help improve their air and missile defence after the attack on two major oil facilities in Saudi Arabia by Houthis rebels.

Mark Esper said the details of the deployments will be determined over the coming days.

NNR/Khokhar