Khamis Mushayt or Khamis Mushait ( Arabic : خميس مشيط , Ḫamīs Mušayṭ Arabic pronunciation: [xamiːs muʃajtˤ] , locally: [xamiːs‿ɪmʃeːtˤ] ) is a city in south-west Saudi Arabia , located east of Abha , the provincial seat of the 'Asir Province , 1,300 kilometres (810 mi) 650 nautical miles from Dhahran and 884 kilometres (549 mi) from the national capital of Riyadh . It is the capital of the Shahran tribe in the Asir region. It is fifth-largest city in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh , Jeddah , Mecca and Medina , with an estimated metro population of 1,353,000 as of 2017. Khamis Mushayt is noted for being the fourth largest trading centre in Saudi Arabia , and is famous for its world-class military airbase.
5-442: Until the 1970s, Khamis Mushait was a small town of less than 50,000 servicing the surrounding mild-climate agricultural region. Since then its population has grown dramatically to reach over 1,200,000. The city is surrounded by farms producing agricultural crops. King Khalid Air Base (KMX) has a 12,400 ft (3,780 m) paved runway without customs facilities. The base was designed and built by US Army and Air Force engineers in
10-493: Is Al-Hayat Hospital and Khamis Mushayt Mosque. King Khalid Air Base King Khalid Air Base ( Arabic : قاعدة الملك خالد الجوية) (KKAB) is an airbase of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) in the south-west of Saudi Arabia , near Khamis Mushait . The airbase, with code KMX, has a 12,400 ft (3,780 m) paved runway without customs facilities. The base was designed and built by the Dutch company Ballast Nedam for BAE in
15-516: The 1960s and 70s and has F-15 service facilities. During the Gulf War in 1991, the US Airforce had a base here from which they launched bombers on Baghdad . Khamis Mushait was known by that name since the 1760s, it has been named after the family name of al mushayt referring a man called mushayt who protected this city and like deem mushayt, mushayt it has been referred to Mushait Ibn Salem
20-606: The 1960s, with additional construction through the 1970s and 1980s, and has McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle service facilities. During the Gulf War in 1991, the USAF had a base here from which they launched F-117 stealth fighter from the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing on Baghdad , and other high priority targets in Iraq . On the opening night of the war, Vickers VC10 tankers from No. 101 Squadron RAF launched here refueled Royal Air Force Panavia Tornado GR1s. The RSAF forces included
25-430: The head of Shahran tribe and the guardian of the market. Khamis Mushait has a hot desert climate ( Köppen climate classification BWh ) bordering closely on a hot semi-desert climate (Köppen BSh ). Khamis Mushayt has several souks , including Khamis Souk and Silver Souq, both of which are noted for their silver jewellery, and Spice Souk. Notable hotels include Mushayt Palace Hotel and Trident Hotel. Also of note
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