Saudis, Turks ‘prepare’ Syria ground operation

ISTANBUL: Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation against Daesh terrorists in Syria, the Turkish foreign minister said Saturday, adding the Kingdom was already sending jets to a Turkish base to attack the extremists. The coordinated plans by Riyadh and Ankara, who are pursuing an increasingly tight alliance, add a new element to the situation in Syria where Russia has been backing a regime offensive against rebels. “If there is a strategy (against Daesh) then Turkey and Saudi Arabia could enter into a ground operation,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the Yeni Safak and Haberturk newspapers after taking part in the Munich Security Conference. “Some say ‘Turkey is reluctant to take part in the fight against Daesh. “But it is Turkey that is making the most concrete proposals,” he said.   Arab News