Saudi decision to deploy ground troops to Syria is 'final'

Published February 11th, 2016 - 03:23 GMT
A man drives his motorbike past damaged buildings on February 10, 2016 in Harasta, east of the Syrian capital Damascus. (AFP/Abdulmonam Eassa)
A man drives his motorbike past damaged buildings on February 10, 2016 in Harasta, east of the Syrian capital Damascus. (AFP/Abdulmonam Eassa)

A Saudi military spokesman has said that Saudi's decision is "final" to deploy ground troops to Syria in the fight against Daesh, al-Arabiya reported.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Assiri said Thursday that Saudi Arabia is "ready" to fight alongside the US-led coalition allies against Daesh militants in Syria. He declined to answer questions about further details on ground operations.

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

In a reference to the current rift in relations between Tehran and Riyadh, he also added that Iran must stop supporting "terrorism" in Yemen or Syria if it is serious about fighting Daesh.

Thirty-five Muslim countries are currently involved in the Islamic Military Alliance, a coalition fighting Daesh in Syria, and is headquartered in Riyadh. The military spokesman said the Islamic Military Alliance's decision regarding ground troops will take effect within two months.

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