Afraid of Russia’s Reaction, Saudis Won’t Attack Syria: Analyst
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A prominent political analyst mocked Saudi Arabia’s rhetoric of deploying troops to Syria, saying Riyadh is well aware that Russian opposition does mean serious consequences.
“Saudi Arabia’s ground military interference in Syria has been impossible from the very beginning for one reason, which is Russia’s objection to the issue,” the founder and director of the Washington-based Institute for (Persian) Gulf Affairs Ali al-Ahmed told Tasnim.
He said Saudis do not want to see their forces and tanks being targeted by the Russia fighter jets, noting that Moscow has already made it clear that any plan for military action inside the Syrian territories must be coordinated with the Damascus government.
Ahmed also criticized Saudi Arabia for a record of “stupid” actions, explaining that the Al Saud’s rhetoric of various military operations is nothing but a propaganda, because Saudis have no authority to do anything.
The comments came after Riyadh voiced readiness to participate in any ground operations in Syria if the US-led coalition purportedly targeting terrorists decides to start such operations.
Saudi Arabia is a member of the so-called US-led coalition that has been conducting air raids against what are claimed to be the Daesh (ISIL) terrorists inside Syria without any authorization from the Syrian government or a UN mandate since September 2014.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with Takfiri terrorists from various groups, including Daesh, currently controlling parts of it.
According to the United Nations, more than 250,000 people have been killed and one million wounded during the conflict.