Syria: Saudi Arabia Prepared To Send Ground Troops To Fight Islamic State

Saudi Arabia is prepared to send ground troops to Syria to aid in the fight against the Islamic State, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Feb. 21, The New Arab reported. The minister said Saudi troops could fight alongside U.S. special operations forces assisting the Syrian Democratic Forces. Saudi Arabia has previously made it clear that it is willing to take a more active role in Syria's conflict. That said, al-Jubeir's comments are particularly interesting because of the possibility of cooperation with the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and in light of the upcoming battle to retake Raqqa from the Islamic State.