Saudi Ground Troops Deployment in Syria Depends on US-Led Coalition - FM

According to Riyadh, the decision to deploy Saudi special troops in Syria will be made by the anti-Daesh coalition led by the United States.

CAIRO (Sputnik) — The deployment of Saudi special troops in Syria will depend on a decision of the US-led international coalition against the Daesh jihadist group, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir said Sunday.

"[We are] waiting for a decision on ground operation from the international coalition forces and for clarification of objectives, strategies and goals," Jubeir said at a press conference.

Last week, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said it was ready to deploy ground troops in Syria to fight the Daesh jihadist group. The United Arab Emirates made a similar statement.

The US-led international coalition has been carrying out a campaign against Daesh, a group outlawed in a number of countries including Russia, in Syria and Iraq since 2014.

Russia has been conducting precision airstrikes against the Daesh militant group positions in Syria at the request of President Bashar Assad since September 30. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed the possibility of expanding its aerial campaign in Syria to ground operations.