Saudi FM Meets Syrian President Assad In Damascus For The First Time Since The Start Of The Civil War

 

Al-Monitor: Saudi foreign minister arrives in Syria, meets Assad 

The visit is Prince Faisal bin Farhan's first since the start of the civil war and follows the Syrian foreign minister's trip to Saudi Arabia last week. 

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan landed in Syria on Tuesday, the first such visit since the start of the civil war in 2011. The trip represents a continuing and significant shift in the kingdom’s policy toward Syria. 

Farhan was received by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The two discussed efforts towards finding a "political solution" to the Syria conflict that would "preserve Syria's unity, security, stability, Arab identity, and territorial integrity." They also talked about the "return of Syria to its Arab fold and the resumption of its natural role in the Arab world," according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

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WNU Editor: The Middle East is changing right before our eyes. 

 Saudi FM Meets Syrian President Assad In Damascus For The First Time Since The Start Of The Civil War  

Saudi FM meets Syria's Assad on first trip to Damascus since start of civil war -- France 24 

Saudi foreign minister visits Assad, further easing Syria's isolation -- Reuters  

Saudi foreign minister visits Syria as relations thaw -- AP 

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister arrives in Syria, meets with Assad -- Al Arabiya  

Syria: President Assad meets Saudi foreign minister in Damascus -- Middle East Eye  

Saudi foreign minister meets Syria’s Assad in Damascus -- Al Jazeera  

Saudi Foreign Minister Lands In Syria, Meets Assad, In 1st Since War's Start In 2011 -- Zero Hedge

Saudi Arabia And Syria To Restore Diplomatic Ties

 

Al Jazeera: Saudi Arabia and Syria ‘in talks to restore ties’  

Saudi state television reports that the two countries are in talks to resume consular services. 

Saudi Arabia and Syria are in talks over a resumption of consular services between the two countries, according to Saudi state television, an indication of a possible restoration of ties between the two countries. 

Saudi Arabia, which backed the Syrian opposition in the country’s war, closed its embassy in Damascus and expelled the Syrian ambassador in 2012.  

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WNU Editor: Quite a contrast in the reporting. On the one hand the Western media is saying that Saudi Arabia and Syria are in talks to restore ties. Arab news agencies are saying that the talks have been concluded, and that ties will be restored with the reopening of their embassies. I am trusting the Arab sources on this one. 

Saudi Arabia And Syria To Restore Diplomatic Ties  

Saudi Arabia, Syria may restore ties as Mideast reshuffles -- AP  

After Iran, Saudi Arabia to re-establish ties with Syria, sources say -- Reuters 

Saudi Arabia, Syria to reopen embassies after kingdom restores ties with Iran: report -- FOX News  

Saudi Arabia, Syria discuss restoring ties amid Mideast reshuffling -- Times of Israel 

Saudi Arabia and Syria 'agree to reopen embassies' -- Middle East Eye  

Saudi Arabia, Syria in talks to resume consular services: Saudi Foreign Ministry -- Arab News 

Saudi Arabia in talks with Syria to resume consular services: State TV -- Al Arabiya

Saudi Arabia, Syria agree to resume diplomatic ties and reopen embassies -- Gulf News  

'Times Have Changed': Saudi Arabia To Reopen Embassy In Syria, Angering US -- Zero Hedge

Is Saudi Arabia About To Restore Ties With Syria?

Saudi officials meet with Assad in Syria, set to reopen embassy, report says

No confirmation of this save for one paper: Rai al-Youm.

US is talking to Iran, so KSA might as well talk to Assad & figure out how to decrease Iranian influence.

US won't.https://t.co/Z1f6U2WhtO

— Joshua Landis (@joshua_landis) May 4, 2021

The New Arab: Saudi officials 'met Assad in Syria' for talks on restoring ties 

Saudi officials met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus on Monday for talks on restoring diplomatic relations after a ten-year hiatus, a London-based Arabic news outlet has reported. 

Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief led the delegation and plans to return to Damascus after Ramadan, according to Arabic daily Rai Al-Youm. 

Saudi Arabia ceased diplomatic ties with Syria and closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012 after the regime brutally suppressed anti-government protests in the country and launched an assault on opposition areas. 

Some Gulf states, such as Oman and the UAE, have recently rekindled ties with the Syrian regime.  

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WNU Editor: It looks like SAudi Arabia is trying to find some common ground with its "enemies" .... Adversaries Saudi Arabia and Iran hold talks, region holds its breath (DW). 

More News On Reports That Saudi Arabia May Restore Ties With Syria  

Syria: Saudi delegation meets Assad with plan to reopen embassy -- Middle East Monitor 

Meeting between Saudi and Syrian intelligence chiefs hints at detente -- The Guardian  

Report: Saudi Arabia to reopen Damascus embassy, seeking thaw with Syria -- YNet News  

Saudi Arabia Poised To Mend Relations With Assad In Major First Since War Began -- Zero Hedge

Report: Saudi Fighter Jets Helped Israel Strike Pro-Iran Militias On The Syria-Iraq Border

Royal Saudi Air Force F-15's fly with US Air Force F-15's. (photo credit: HANDOUT/REUTERS)

Jerusalem Post: Saudis, Israel attack pro-Iran militias on Syria-Iraq border - report

"Saudi fighter jets have been spotted along with other fighter jets that have attacked facilities and positions belonging to Iranian militias."

Both Israel and Saudi Arabia have been blamed for recent air strikes targeting pro-Iranian militias in the Albukamal area of Syria near the border with Iraq, according to Arab media. The attacks resulted in a number of deaths and injuries and the destruction of weapon storage facilities and rocket launchers.

"Saudi fighter jets have been spotted along with other fighter jets that have attacked facilities and positions belonging to Iranian militias," said an unnamed source to the Independent in Arabic. The attacks targeted positions belonging to the Quds force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Albukamal and other areas near the Iraq-Syria border.

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More News On Reports That Saudi Fighter Jets Helped Israel Strike Pro-Iran Militias On The Syria-Iraq Border

Saudi jets helping Israel strike pro-Iran militias on Syria-Iraq border -- Middle East Monitor
Iraqi official: Unidentified warplanes strike Syrian militia base near Iraq border -- YNet News
Report: Drones Attacked Ammunition Facilities of Iran-backed Militia on Iraq-Syria Border -- Haaretz
Saudi fighter jets strike pro-Iran militias in eastern Syria -- Tracking Persia/Al Arabiya

Report: Saudi Arabia, UAE, And Jordan Will Send Troops To Support Kurds In Syria While U.S. Forces Leave

A convoy of U.S.-led international coalition forces against the Islamic State stops to testfire their M2 machine guns and MK19 grenade launcher in the Middle Euphrates River Valley in the Deir ez-Zor Province, Syria, Nov. 22. (Courtesy Matthew Crane/U.S. Army/Handout via Reuters)

Middle East Monitor: Saudi Arabia, UAE send troops to support Kurds in Syria

While the announcement by President Donald Trump this week that the U.S. would withdraw its remaining troops from Syria seemed sudden, a Jordanian source told Yisrael Hayom that the step has actually been in planning for months – and that Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia would work with Russia in limiting Iran’s ability to act in Syria, with the blessing of Washington.

According to the report, officials of all five countries have been conferring for several months on the prospective American withdrawal. Despite the troop withdrawal, the U.S. will continue to be active in the Middle East, and in fact will increase its intelligence efforts and its security cooperation with Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

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Update #1: Report: Russia, Israel, Jordan and Saudis to Cooperate on Limiting Iran After Syria Withdrawal -- Hamodia
Update #2: Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia join forces against Iran in Syria -- JNS

WNU Editor: Apparently Israel and Egypt have been consulted on this plan, with Egypt giving it's support and Israel going one step forward by committing itself to even greater military operations in Syria .... Israel to escalate fight against Iran in Syria after U.S. exit: Netanyahu (Reuters). Russian media is also reporting on this story, and verifying reports that Russia will not interfere if the Saudis get involved in eastern Syria. No comment yet from the White House, and no reporting so far from the Western media on this story.

This may also explain why Turkish President Erdogan has postponed military operations in eastern Syria. He will be confronting Saudi and UAE military forces, and not just the Kurds.

Saudi Arabia Ready To Send Troops To Syria

Reuters: Saudi Arabia says open to sending troops to Syria under wider coalition

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia would be prepared to send troops into Syria as part of the U.S.-led coalition if a decision was taken to widen it, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday.

“We are in discussion with the U.S. and have been since the beginning of the Syrian crisis about sending forces into Syria,” Jubeir told a news conference in Riyadh with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He said Riyadh had expressed its readiness while Barack Obama was U.S. President to send ground forces into Syria if the United States were to add an on-the-ground component to the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State insurgents.

Jubeir was responding to a question about a Wall Street Journal report that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to assemble an Arab force to replace the U.S. military contingent in Syria.

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WNU Editor: As if there are enough foreign players having a direct role in Syria.

More News On Reports That Saudi Arabia Is Ready To Send Troops To Syria

Saudi in talks with US over troop deployment in Syria -- Al Jazeera
Saudis Weigh Offering Troops for Syria Force -- Wall Street Journal
Saudi Arabia says it's open to sending troops to Syria as US draws down -- Washington Post
Saudi Arabia reaffirms offer to deploy troops in Syria -- Middle East Monitor
US mulls military support in Syria from Arab allies -- DW
Trump asking Arab nations to replace US military in Syria after defeat of ISIS: report -- The Hill
White House is desperately trying to put together Arab force to take over from U.S. soldiers and Marines in Syria within months -- Daily Mail

Saudi Crown Prince Salman Concedes That Syrian President Assad Is Here To Stay

US President Donald Trump wants to get out of Syria 'very soon' but Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is anxious for US troops to remain. The two leaders met at the White House in Washington on March 20, 2018. Photo: Reuters/ Jonathan Ernst

Asia Times: Crown Prince’s overture to Syria’s Bashar while in the US

Saudi leader dropped a bombshell on the weekend, saying that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is not going to be ousted from power; it was a stunning reversal of their 'regime change' plan for Damascus.

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman dropped a bombshell in the course of a weekend interview with Time magazine that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is not going to be ousted from power. He said, “Bashar is staying. But I believe Bashar’s interest is not to let the Iranians do whatever they want to do.”

This remark by the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia is a stunning reversal of Riyadh’s policies in Syria hinged on “regime change” in Damascus. One can call it an admission of defeat. But then, there is always the tantalizing possibility of sub-plots in politics and this could be one such situation of sub-plots gaining ascendance.

MBS, 32, remains an enigma wrapped in mystery. Some say he’s a great reformer while others call him an impetuous practitioner of coercive politics. Indeed, the two personality traits needn’t be contradictory necessarily, as history shows.

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WNU Editor: This is an acknowledgement from the Saudis that Assad is here to stay .... even though much of Syria that he will rule over has been destroyed.

Saudi King Salman Tells President Trump: Syrians 'Brought Destruction To Their Own Country'

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 20, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

The Independent: Saudi king tells Donald Trump Syrians 'brought destruction to their own country'

'Syria too used to be one of the most advanced countries,' King Salman tells President

The king of Saudi Arabia, a major backer of rebel forces in Syria, appeared to lament the destruction caused by the civil war while meeting with Donald Trump in Riyadh.

“Syria too used to be one of the most advanced countries,” King Salman told Mr Trump, according to a White House press pool report.

“We used to get our professors from Syria,” the King continued. “They served our kingdom. Unfortunately, they too brought destruction to their own country. You can destroy a country in mere seconds, but it takes a lot of effort.”

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WNU Editor: In the beginning .... when the Arab Spring was gripping Syria .... there was a chance to avoid bloodshed. WNU covered those early days extensively .... including warning what would happen if compromise and accommodation could not be reached and if violence becomes the norm. That is why I was not surprised that when the fighting started ..... as is so typical of the Middle East .... everyone got involved (Saudi Arabia included) thereby making Syria the proxy war that it is today. So King Salman is right ..... the inability and unwillingness of many Syrians to compromise in the beginning did cascade into the war that has destroyed their country. But .... Saudi Arabia's hands are not clean .... the Kingdom and the Gulf States have been fuelling this war with resources and materials .... and they have shown little if any interest to stop.

Saudi Foreign Minister: Saudi Arabia Ready To Send Special Forces To Syria

King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz attends a Shura Council meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [Bandar Algaloud / Saudi Royal Council / Handout/Anadolu]

Middle East Monitor: With US support, Saudi Arabia ready to send special forces to Syria

In cooperation with the United States, Saudi Arabia is “ready to send ground troops” to Syria to fight against Daesh, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir announced on Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview with Sueddeutsche Zeitung German newspaper on Tuesday, Al-Jubeir said: “The Kingdom and other Gulf countries said it was ready to allocate forces to fight on the US side.”

He noted that discussions with the US forces are underway to “find out what the plan is and what you need to implement it.” He explained that the plan would be announced “soon”.

The foreign minister affirmed that the liberated territories from Daesh, must be handed over to the Syrian opposition. “The basic idea is to free the region from the IG [Daesh] and not to allow their controlled Hezbollah, Iran or the Syrian regime,” he said.

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WNU Editor: This deployment will result in a Syrian/Iran - Saudi clash in Syria .... and after that who knows what else.

Are The Saudis Getting Ready To Invade Syria?

Saudi land forces prepare for a training exercise in this file photo. Some 20 countries are joining a major military exercise in the northern part of the kingdom this year. (SPA)

James Stavridis, Foreign Policy: Was a Fake War in the Saudi Desert a Dress Rehearsal for a Syrian Invasion?

Vladimir Putin’s abrupt Russian departure could open a door for Arab intervention against the Islamic State and Bashar al-Assad.

In yet another surprising tactical maneuver, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday, March 14, that he is withdrawing the main part of his forces from Syria. While it may be premature to assess both the motive and final level of the drawdown, this could be a potential pivot in this seemingly endless crisis.

Moscow is probably feeling relatively confident in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s position and the overall direction of the peace talks and is also increasingly concerned about the high cost of the operation — during a period of a weak ruble and very low oil prices, upon which the Russian economy is dependent.

The interesting question is whether this retreat provides an opening for a significant Arab ground force to be inserted into the conflict. Coincidentally, just as Russia is pulling forces out of Syria, Saudi Arabia is completing a significant military exercise that may prove to have been a dress rehearsal for Sunni Arab engagement on the ground in that conflict. Indeed, just last week in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, some 350,000 troops, 20,000 tanks, dozens of ships, and 2,500 warplanes from 20 countries concluded the largest military exercises ever held in the Middle East.

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WNU Editor: I fail to see how a Saudi "invasion" of Syria will make the situation better. But such is the state of affairs in the Middle East where many are now discussing such an option seriously.

Growing Concerns In Saudi Arabia On A Military Involvement In Syria

Troops arrive to participate in joint military exercises in Hafr Al-Batin, near Saudi Arabia"s border with Iraq in this handout photo by Saudi Press Agency released on February 16, 2016. REUTERS/Saudi Press Agency/Handout via Reuters

Washington Post: Concerns in Saudi Arabia over signs of more military involvement in Syria

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia is flexing its muscles as pro-government forces in Syria’s civil war make sweeping advances, but concerns have mounted about its expanding military involvement in the conflict.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s military, backed by Iranian-led militiamen and Russian airstrikes, has pressed a major offensive in the northern city of Aleppo, even as talks to broker a ceasefire have made some progress.. The move threatens rebel groups that have received cash and weapons from Saudi Arabia, a Sunni powerhouse and U.S. ally that opposes Assad because of his alliance with Shiite rival Iran.

Saudi officials have responded by dispatching warplanes to Turkey, another opponent of the Syrian leader. They have said they could commit ground forces to Syria that would technically fight the Islamic State militant group but could also seemingly challenge pro-Assad forces.

Saudi leaders also have announced large-scale military exercises involving 20 mostly Arab and African nations.

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WNU editor: The Saudis are definitely not winning the war in Yemen, and with the prospect of becoming directly involved in the Syrian conflict .... and against a far more deadlier and heavily armed opposition .... not a comforting thought. The only ones who appear to be happy with these developments are the arms merchants .... because the Saudis are definitely buying the weapons to pursue war .... Saudi Arabia leads surge in arms imports by Middle East states (The Guardian).

Saudi Foriegn Minister: Syrian Rebels Should Get Surface-To-Air Missiles

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir delivers a statement after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department in Washington, February 8, 2016. REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA

Reuters: Saudi minister says Syrian rebels should get surface-to-air missiles

Moderate Syrian rebels should be supplied with surface-to-air missiles to defend against air strikes, Germany weekly Der Spiegel quoted Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir as saying.

The rebels are under attack from both the Syrian air force and Russian strikes. Jubeir said providing them with the rockets would "enable the moderate opposition to neutralize the regime's helicopters and planes".

Al-Jubeir repeated his calls for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down in order to enable a political solution to the five-year-long war.

"The other option is that the war goes on and Assad is being defeated," al-Jubeir said.

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Update #1: Saudi FM says Syrian rebels should receive anti-aircraft missiles (AFP)
Update #2: Saudi ground forces would target only Daesh in Syria (AFP)

WNU editor: There are already many anti-aircraft missiles in Syria .... my guess is that the Saudi government now wants to send even more advanced versions of these missiles. As to what is my take on such a development .... the possibility that some of Syria's radical groups may get their hands on these weapons should make all of us shudder.

Why A Saudi Ground Operation In Syria Is A Bad Idea

Saudi Brigadier General Ahmed al Asiri

Alexander Decina, Daily Beast: Saudi Troops to Syria? Whoa. Bad Idea!

If Riyadh and its partners actually intend to send troops to Syria, it will be an incredibly risky move that will prolong the civil war.

On Feb. 4, the spokesman for the Saudi military, Brigadier General Ahmed al Asiri, made a bold announcement. The Gulf kingdom, he said, would commit troops to a ground operation against ISIS if the United States asked it to and if the coalition agreed to it. Asiri made the statement sitting in front of the flags of all six Gulf Cooperation Council member states, implying that Saudi Arabia could take up the mantle of leading a grand Arab coalition to fight in Syria.

Not two weeks later, it seems Riyadh is keeping good on its word. According to the Turkish foreign minister, Saudi troops and fighter jets have already arrived at Turkey’s Incirlik airbase and are preparing for operations in Syria. Also, Saudi sources speaking to Arabic media claim that the kingdom will run training exercises with its own forces alongside troops from Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, and other countries in preparation for the fight against ISIS, the so-called Islamic State.

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WNU Editor: The idea of Saudi troops entering Syria is just as bad as Turkish troops entering Syria .... Turkey Wants Its Allies To Participate In A Ground Operation In Syria. More commentary here (Hat Tip jay for this link).

Update: Syria has indicated that it will fight any ground Saudi ground operation .... Damascus to fight back Saudi Arabia’s ground operation — Syrian ambassador (TASS), and the Islamic State is not worried .... Islamic State shrugs off any Saudi ground force in Syria (Reuters).

Is Saudi Arabia Backing Down On Its Warnings That They Are Prepared To Send Ground Troops Into Syria?

Reuters: Saudi troop deployment in Syria up to U.S.-led coalition, foreign minister says

Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that any move to deploy Saudi special forces into Syria will depend on a decision by the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Friday he expected both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to send special operations forces to Syria to help local opposition fighters in their drive to retake the city of Raqqa, Islamic State's de facto capital in Syria.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday confirmed it had sent aircraft to NATO-member Turkey's Incirlik air base for the fight against Islamic State 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 Daesh (Islamic State) in Syria - this U.S.-led coalition - so the timing is not up to us," Jubeir told a news conference with his Swiss counterpart in Riyadh.

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WNU Editor: This is a different tone from the Saudi Foreign Minister .... it is certainly not as  forceful as the above video interview with CNN. It looks like someone either told him to "cool it", or his own superiors got cold feet.

Will Syria Be Saudi Arabia's Quagmire?

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir deliver a statement after a meeting at the State Department in Washington, February 8, 2016. REUTERS/CARLOS BARRIA

Awad Mustafa and Aaron Mehta, Defense News: Syria: 'Quicksand' for Saudi Forces?

DUBAI AND BRUSSELS — As the United States receives commitments from Gulf Arab allies to contribute more to a coalition campaign in Syria, doubts remain because of their ongoing military involvement in Yemen.

Furthermore, statements by unnamed Saudi officials earlier this month about a force of 150,000 — including troops from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners Sudan, Egypt and Jordan — being prepared to invade Syria from Turkey have been rebuffed by at least two members of the anti-Islamic State coalition.

A Jordanian official confirmed that the country will not participate in any Turkish- or Arab-led Syrian invasion unless mandated by the United Nations, led by western forces and coordinated with Russia.

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WNU Editor: If the above report is true, Saudi Arabia's allies are clearly not eager to get involved on the ground in Syria .... which leaves just Saudi Arabia and Turkey. And while I am sure that both countries would prefer to intervene to save their allies in Syria, the problem is that there is no end game to this conflict, and Syria's allies (Russia and Iran) have also made it clear that they would continue to assist Assad, and resist any pressure to have him remove.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Warns That If The Syrian Political Process Fails, Syrian President Assad Must Be Removed 'By Force'

CNN: Saudi Arabia official: If all else fails, remove Syria's Assad by force

Munich, Germany (CNN)Saudi Arabia's foreign minister says if the Syrian political process fails, President Bashar al-Assad will have to be removed "by force."

"I believe Bashar al-Assad is weak and I believe Bashar al-Assad is finished," Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir told CNN's Christiane Amanpour in an exclusive interview in Munich, Germany.

Saudi Arabia is prepared to contribute ground troops to the fight in Syria, but only as part of a U.S.-led coalition, he said.

"Bashar al-Assad will leave — have no doubt about it. He will either leave by a political process or he will be removed by force."

"We will push as much as we can to ensure that the political process works. But if it doesn't work, it will be because of the obstinance of the Syrian regime and that of its allies."

"And should that prove to be the case, then it becomes clear that there is no option to remove Bashar al-Assad except by force."

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WNU Editor: It is getting serious .... Saudi Arabia confirms will send deployment to Turkey base (Reuters), and the military situation is definitely escalating .... Amid peace talks, Is the military situation in Syria escalating? (Christina Beck, CSM).

Saudi Arabia And Its Allies Continue To Claim That They Will Send Ground Forces Into Syria (Updated)

Al Arabiya: Saudi’s decision to send troops in Syria ‘final’

Saudi’s decision to send troops to Syria in an attempt to bolster and toughen efforts against militants is “final” and “irreversible,” the Saudi military spokesman announced on Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Al-Assiri, said that Riyadh is “ready” and will fight with its U.S.-led coalition allies to defeat ISIS militants in Syria, however, he said Washington is more suitable to answer questions on further details about any future ground operations.

“We are representing Saudi’s [decision] only” in sending troops, he said.

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WNU Editor: Syrian President Assad has now commented on Saudi Arabia's intenstion to send ground forces into Syria .... Assad says sees risk of Turkey, Saudi Arabia invading Syria (RT). The Russians are also not amused .... Saudi Arabia’s ground operation in Syria was not discussed in Munich — Lavrov (TASS). More here .... Syrian peace talks: stark warning from Russia as US backs role for Saudi troops (The Guardian).

More News On Reports That Saudi Arabia And Its Allies Will Send Ground Troops Into Syria

Saudi’s decision to send troops in Syria ‘final’ -- Saudi Gazette
U.S. sees Saudi Arabia and UAE sending commandos to Syria -- Reuters
Turkey, Saudi Arabia Planning Joint Military Drills -- Defense News
Saudi to host meeting for the Islamic Military Alliance next month -- Al Arabiya
'This is set to get worse': Saudi Arabia says it has made a 'final' decision to send troops into Syria -- Business Insider

A Look At The Consequences Of Saudi Arabia Sending Ground Troops Into Syria

Kim Sengupta, The Independent: How Saudi Arabia sending ground forces into Syria will have huge ramifications on the civil war

While the soldiers are intended to fight Isis, they may find themselves clashing with Iranian ‘volunteers’ and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters in what is a highly combustible situation

The sending of ground forces by Saudi Arabia into Syria will have immense ramifications for the country’s civil war and the wider region. The question, however, is whether it will actually take place.

The Saudi announcement comes at a time when prospects for peace have faded with the collapse of the Geneva talks and the conflict has intensified with regime forces attempting to encircle Aleppo backed by heavy Russian air strikes.

The already sour relationship between Russia and Turkey, backers respectively of the Syrian regime and rebels, has also worsened. Ankara accuses Moscow of being complicit in trying to impose a “starvation siege” on Aleppo while the Russians claim the Turks are planning to invade Syria.

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Update: Here’s What Would Happen if Saudi Arabia Deployed Troops to Syria (Paul D. Shinkman, US News and World Report)

WNU Editor: Saudi Arabia has made it very clear that they are prepared to intervene in Syria using ground troops .... Saudi Arabia Ready to Send Troops to Syria to Fight ISIS (NBC). Bahrain has also made it clear that they will join Saudi Arabia in sending ground forces into Syria .... Bahrain says ready to commit ground forces to Syria (Reuters). The US reaction to this offer of intervention has been supportive .... Defense secretary welcomes Saudi offer of ground troops in Syria (The Hill). And while Syria and Iran have voiced opposition to such a Saudi deployment .... it is the Russia reaction that concerns me .... some deputies are saying that this will mean war .... Saudi military intervention in Syria amounts to war: Russian deputy (Press TV).

Saudi Arabia Offers To Send Ground Troops To Syria To Fight Against The Islamic State

Reuters: Saudi says ready to take part in any U.S.-led ground operations in Syria

Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it was ready to participate in any ground operations in Syria if the U.S.-led alliance decides to start such operations, an adviser to the Saudi defence minister said.

"The kingdom is ready to participate in any ground operations that the coalition (against Islamic State) may agree to carry out in Syria," Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, who is also the spokesman for the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen, told the Saudi-owned al-Arabiya TV in an interview.

Asseri said Saudi Arabia had been an active member of the U.S.-led coalition that had been fighting Islamic State in Syria since 2014, and had carried out more than 190 aerial missions.

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WNU Editor: The possibility of Syria and its allies acquiescing to this Saudi offer is zero.

More News On Saudi Arabia Offering To Send Ground Troops To Syria To Fight Against The Islamic State

Saudi official says kingdom ready to send troops to Syria -- AP
Saudi ready to join anti-IS ground op in Syria: general -- AFP
Saudi Arabia offers to send ground troops to Syria to fight Isis -- The Guardian
Saudi Arabia ready to join anti-Islamic State ground op in Syria -- The Australian
Saudi official says kingdom ready to send troops to fight ISIS because airstrikes alone 'will not defeat' evil militants -- Daily Mail
Saudi Arabia offers up ground troops for Syrian civil war, if US will support them -- DW
Saudi: ready to join ground operation in Syria -- Al Arabiya
Saudi Ready To Send Ground Troops To Syria -- SKY News
Saudi Arabia ready to take part in any US-led ground operations in Syria – military spokesman -- RT

Update: Here’s What Would Happen if Saudi Arabia Deployed Troops to Syria (US News and World report).

Saudi Arabia And The Gulf States May Send Special Forces Into Syria

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir attends a news conference at a hotel in Paris, France, December 15, 2015, where he said their Islamic anti-terror alliance will share information and train, equip and provide forces if necessary for the fight against Islamic State. REUTERS/JACKY NAEGELEN

Reuters: Saudi Arabia says sending special forces to Syria under discussion

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states are discussing sending special forces to Syria as part of U.S.-led efforts to fight Islamic State, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday.

"There are discussions, countries that are currently part of the coalition (like) Saudi Arabia, the (United Arab) Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain about sending in some special forces into Syria, and those discussions are ongoing. It's not excluded," Adel al-Jubeir told reporters.

He said that the discussions were aimed at clarifying the needs and the objectives of such an operation, but that the picture should become clearer in the next few weeks.

Jubeir was speaking in Paris after outlining a separate initiative by Riyadh to set up a coalition of Islamic countries for counter-terrorism operations, especially in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan.

Update: Saudi: deploying anti-ISIS troops not ruled out (Al Arabiya)

WNU Editor: The problem with this Saudi plan to send special forces into Syria is that no one believes that they will be focused on just fighting the Islamic State. Saudi Arabia wants Syrian President Assad gone .... and Iranian influence curtailed. That is their priority .... not waging war against ISIS. My guess is that they also want this new organization to get involved in the fight .... Saudi Arabia Forms 34 Nation Islamic Alliance To Fight Terrorism .... or at least  give Saudi Arabia the political cover to intervene in the Syrian war.