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Saudi Arabia has stated its readiness to take part in ground operations on the territory of Syria, in case United States-led Coalition decides whether to proceed with this operation
Saudi Arabia is ready to take part in any ground operation in Syria, if United States-led coalition would take such a decision. Such a statement was made by the Adviser to the head of the Defense Ministry of the country, Ahmad Asseri, reports Reuters.
Asseri said that Saudi Arabia from 2014 onwards is an active participant in air operations conducted in Syria coalition under the leadership of the United States. According to him, the Aviation of Saudi Arabia held 190 air missions.
Adviser to the Defence Minister stressed that in order to effectively deal with grouping "Islamic State" (organization banned in Russia), it is necessary to unite the airstrikes with ground operation. "The Kingdom is ready to engage in any ground operations, which will decide to conduct anti-terrorist coalition in Syria," Asseri said.
"In that case, if the leadership of the coalition would reach consensus, the Kingdom is ready to participate in these efforts because we believe that air operations were not an ideal solution, and at the same time and needed air and ground operation in Syria," explained Minister Counsellor.
State Department spokesman United States John Kirby, replying to a question on the statement made by the representative of Saudi Arabia, said that the coalition as a whole supports the desire of the partners to participate more effectively in the fight against the "Islamic State", but this statement he was unaware Asseri.
"I would not like to comment on that, so far, we have not had the opportunity to revi[заявление советника главы Минобороны Саудовской Аравии]ew it," said Kirby.
United States-led coalition, which includes more than 50 countries (including Saudi Arabia), is conducting an air operation in Syria from 2014 onwards. However, at the end of last year Riyadh announced the creation of its own coalition. Saudi Arabia created the Coalition consisted of 34 countries. Among them are Qatar, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt. Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister, Salman Al-Saud said that the Coalition will face not only the IG, but also to any terrorist group, "which will be in front of her. He added that it will coordinate with the main world powers and international organizations. Saudi Arabia opposes the Government of Bashar Al-Assad, and supports some of the opposition groups in Syria.
