Saudi Arabia says open to sending special forces into Syria

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

World | Mon Feb 8, 2016 3:48pm EST

Saudi Arabia says open to sending special forces into Syria

WASHINGTON

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Monday held out the possibility of sending Saudi special forces into Syria as part of a U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State.

"There is a discussion with regard to a ground force contingent, or a special forces contingent, to operate in Syria by this international U.S.-led coalition against ISIS and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has expressed its readiness to provide special forces to such operations should they occur," he said.

Al-Jubeir spoke to reporters after he met for the second day in a row with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. Their talks focused on conflicts in Syria and Yemen. Al-Jubeir declined to say how many troops Saudi Arabia might be prepared to send.

Last week an adviser to the Saudi defense minister said Saudi Arabia was ready to participate in any ground operation in Syria but did not specify the possibility of sending special forces.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-saudi-idUSKCN0VH1YX

[Mufaddal]

1. Saudi already has "special forces" in Syria

They're called Jabhat al-Nusra.

[Ford_Prefect]

2. When the Saudis speak of "special forces" they usually mean US personnel, either in uniform or

mercenaries. It's a habit they have acquired over the last 2 decades.