18-04-2024 09:25 PM Jerusalem Timing

Saudi Waits for US Order on Troops Deployment in Syria

Saudi Waits for US Order on Troops Deployment in Syria

Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that any move to deploy Saudi special forces into Syria will depend on a decision by the US-led coalition that was launched to allegedly fight ISIL.

Saudi FM Adel al-JubeirSaudi Arabia said on Sunday that any move to deploy Saudi special forces into Syria will depend on a decision by the US-led coalition that was launched to allegedly fight the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) takfiri group.

A report published by Reuters stated that Saudi Arabic confirmed it had sent aircraft to NATO-member Turkey’s Incirlik air base for the fight against ISIL militants.

“The Kingdom’s readiness to provide special forces to any ground operations in Syria is linked to a decision to have a ground component to this coalition against ISIL  in Syria—this US-led coalition—so the timing is not up to us,” Jubeir told a news conference with his Swiss counterpart in Riyadh.

“With regards to timing of the mission or size of troops, this has yet to be worked out,” he added.

US President Barack Obama has ruled out sending ground troops to Syria. But Turkey said that both Ankara and Riyadh would support a coalition ground operation.

Separately, Jubeir said Switzerland would handle Saudi Arabia’s consular affairs in Iran and would facilitate Iranian pilgrims coming to the kingdom, following Riyadh’s decision to cut relations with Tehran.

“Switzerland offered to … handle the (consular) interests of Saudi Arabia in Iran, and we in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciated that and accepted,” Jubeir said.

The Islamic Republic of Iran said last week that Tehran and Riyadh must overcome their strained relations and work for stability in Syria and the middle East.