Mattis: North Korea's failed missile launch a reckless provocation

RIYADH — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday that North Korea had "recklessly" attempted to provoke a response with its latest missile launch.

Mattis, who landed Tuesday in Saudi Arabia, told reporters on his plane that the missile that blew up shortly after launch on Saturday was not an intercontinental ballistic type capable of reaching the United States.

The fear of U.S. officials is that North Korea is on a path to developing such a missile with a nuclear warhead. Vice President Pence traveled to Seoul and said on Monday that the U.S. commitment to South Korea remains firm.

Mattis said the nature of the North Korean threat shows why the United States and China are working closely to "get this under control."

Meanwhile, the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have had contacts with Russian military officials to avoid mid-air accidents, Mattis said.

Concern about collisions rose after the U.S. Navy attacked the Syrian airfield earlier this month following a chemical weapon attack on Syrian civilians. The Tomahawk cruise missile attack destroyed planes and buildings there but not the runways.

Russia backs the Syrian regime of Bashad Assad. And Pentagon officials have said at minimum the Russians failed to control their ally whose attack with sarin nerve agent killed more than 80 people.

The talks with the Russians are limited to preventing accidents, Mattis said. There is no coordination with the Russians in the fight against the Islamic State, or ISIS.

Mattis is meeting with Saudi officials to hear their concerns about security. He also plans visits with defense officials throughout the Middle East.