Syria Ground Operation Yet to Be Discussed at Military Level - Riyadh

CAIRO (Sputnik) — A possible ground operation in Syria has been discussed at a political level but military discussions have yet to start, Saudi Defense Ministry adviser Ahmed Asiri told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"Defense ministers made this decision in Brussels at a political level. So far, no preparatory work has been carried out at a military level. When we have a plan ready, we will act in accordance with it and [a ground operation] will be carried out," Asiri said.

On February 5, media reported that Saudi Arabia could send thousands of ground forces to Syria, most likely in coordination with Turkey, to take part in the fight against the Daesh jihadist group. Shortly after that, Turkey reportedly sent troops to its border, and also intensified the shelling of Kurdish-held areas in northern border regions of Syria.

Syrian President Bashar Assad said Syria would regard Saudi and Turkish troops, if they are to be sent to Syria, as terrorists.

Riyadh and Ankara have been members of the US-led coalition that has been launching airstrikes against Daesh in Syria since September 2014, without the permission of Damascus or the United Nations. Daesh is a terrorist group, outlawed in a number of countries, including the United States and Russia.