Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with Takfiri terrorists from various groups, including Daesh, now controlling parts of it. “We will take necessary actions in due time”, deputy chief of staff Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri told Iran’s Arabic-language Al-Aalam television.
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“Now that Saudi Arabia has also asked Switzerland to play the role (for the Arab country), Switzerland will officially protect Iran’s interests in Riyadh and protect those of Saudi Arabia in Tehran once the required diplomatic arrangements are made”, Jaberi Ansari added.
Davutoglu alleged to Merkel that the Syrian Kurdish forces, who Turkey accuses of being the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), had been advancing with Russian air support.
Iran, Syria’s regional ally, supports President Bashar al-Assad by sending “military advisers” and volunteers to fight alongside the Syrian army.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday that Saudi jets would be deployed at Incirlik, and that the two countries could participate in ground operations against ISIS in Syria.
The Moroccan army will participate in regional military exercises called “Northern Thunder”, which will be led by and held in Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Rising power… Saudi Arabia’s offer to put boots on the ground to fight Islamic State in Syria shows the kingdom’s growing determination to flex its military might.
“With regards to timing of the mission or size of troops, this has yet to be worked out”, he added.
It can be recalled that Saudi Arabia is now spear heading a campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The Turkish-Saudi air drills will run through Friday.
Obama has ruled out sending USA ground troops to Syria.
“We continue to encourage all parties to focus on this common threat, which has not subsided, and to work toward a cessation of hostilities, as agreed in Munich”. They also discussed the situation in Ukraine, the Kremlin said.
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Despite its rhetoric, the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Turkey are not seriously interested in defeating IS or the other reactionary paramilitary groups fighting Assad.
