CNN’s Arabic division in Dubai reports Saudi Arabia is planning to invade Syria and has mobilized 150,000 troops in the kingdom.
Two sources cited by CNN say “trainees” preparing for the effort are from Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Morocco, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Turkey. Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei will also participate.
The invasion scheduled for March will be led by the Saudis and Turks and will originate in Turkey, according to CNN.
Last week the US Defense boss Ash Carter said he welcomed a Saudi offer to participate in ground operations. “That kind of news is very welcome,” he told reporters while on a visit to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
Carter will meet in Brussels this week with the Saudis. The Saudis confirmed they will also be in Brussels to discuss details of the invasion.
Last week Saudi Brig. Gen. Ahmad Asiri told the United States his country is willing to send troops into Syria. On Friday Saudi officials announced the formation of the Sunni coalition and said military exercises will be held in preparation for an invasion.
Iran mocked the Saudi plan. “They claim they will send troops (to Syria), but I don’t think they will dare do so,” Maj. Gen. Ali Jafari told reporters in Tehran, according to Iran’s semiofficial Fars news agency. “They have a classic army and history tells us such armies stand no chance in fighting irregular resistance forces.”
Middle East experts believe the move by Saudi Arabia is not about defeating the Islamic State but confronting Iran.
Iranian security and intelligence services are advising and assisting Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in his fight against US and Gulf Emirate proxies. In addition to sending the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and Quds Force to fight on the ground in Syria, Lebanese Hezbollah has taken on a direct combat role. Iraqi Shi‘a brigades are also involved in the fighting.
“Saudi Arabia’s strategic goals in Syria are very different from ours. And any new introduction of foreign ground troops into Syria would be greatly complicating efforts to focus attention on ISIS as the threat,” Stephen Kinzer, a senior fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute of International and Public Affairs, told US News & World Report. “The Saudis know what their goal is. They want to overthrow Assad. Period.”
“I would consider any introduction of foreign ground troops [into Syria] to be destabilizing. You’re pushing Saudi Arabian power closer and closer to Iran,” Kinzer added. “That kind of ground deployment would certainly undermine the already weak efforts toward peaceful resolution of this conflict.”
Last week UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura postponed Syria peace talks brokered by the internationalist organization. The State Department has blamed Russia “in part” for the failure of the talks.
The proxy forces have refused to participate in talks unless the al-Assad government stops attempting to regain territory overtaken by al-Nusra, IS and other jihadist groups.
OutboardMartyr on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 11:44 am
It’s about time, but it’ll be fun. You think it’s hard now to tell who’s fighting who, and why? The Turks will rain on the Kurds, the Saudis will check which chapter of the Koran you read before killing you, and the Russians will simply obliterate everybody. Did U.S. back-channel diplomacy generate this operation? Good going, President Obama !
DPRICH on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 11:57 am
i hope they take out the regime and their evil partners
Global War on Terrorism on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 12:04 pm
Let the Saudis, UI join in, together with Jordan and Turkey.
U.S. should applied a NO FLY ZONE.
If the russian fly in there “SHOOT IT DOWN” this will teach them a lesson.
So the russian think that we mean business.
Turkey did it, putin didn’t do nothing about it, but flied another air craft into Turkey’s airspace.
Obama is weak. The worst president in mankind’s history.
Same goes out to Ukraine.
We won’t have this problem if we gave them what we asked.
Obama needs to go.
rockman on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 12:06 pm
Charles – True. The use of “invade” in the tittle tells how they are trying to hype this non-story. OTOH many will say the KSA is fighting a proxy war with Iran in Yemen. So another proxy in Syria isn’t impossible even though it could result in a much different international dynamic.
BTW: does everyone realize that the bulk of the Saudi ground force is Yemen soldiers?
Eugene Hancock on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 12:08 pm
This may be an excuse to conquer eastern Syria & southwestern Iraq…and to make them “Jordanian protectorates”(cutting the Shia Crescent in 1/2 with a vertical Sunni Crescent….
Check your reality on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 12:19 pm
Mr. Global War on Terrorism. In case you have forgotten, Russia has thousands of nuclear weapons which they almost certainly would deploy in Syria and Iran if we start shooting down their aircraft purposefully. Moreover, the U.S. can not unilaterally declare a no-fly zone as this requires the rest of NATO and/or the United Nations (in which Russia can veto any move towards such a thing).
Finally, Iran lest you forget, has a large chemical and biological warfare capability. Any invasion of Syria would be a full-on declaration of war upon ALL Shi’a Muslims by Sunni Muslims. You are also forgetting that currently Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, and Oman are all backing ISIS and Al-Nusra. There is no doubt of this. Every American volunteer who has fought there has reported the same….that supplies to ISIS can ONLY come through Turkey. The Kurds are about to capture that last supply route which is why Turkey is talking about invading in order to protect ethnic Turkmans who are fighting on the side of ISIS.
So by your rationale, you believe that we should be supporting Al-Qaeda and ISIS because this is exactly what this is. Furthermore it is about ethnic cleansing of Shi’a Muslims from the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has its own WMD program (including a nuclear program that they’ve been working on for a long time while the West has ignored it). Saudi Arabia is the root of all of Islamic terrorism in the middle east as they are the ones who spread the Wahabbi/Salafi ideology all over the world supported by billions of dollars. This ideology is the foundation of all Islamic extremist groups in the world.
So why on Earth would anyone in the West wish to support them and their legions of Sunni extremists?
Newfie on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 12:35 pm
They are talking up the price of oil.
JN2 on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 12:40 pm
Newfie: maybe, but at $27.97 it’s not working…
sam on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 1:07 pm
Total Non-story, this is not an invasion just a agreed upon help force to augment the USA Jordan and turkey already in the fight. Lets not forget the courageous Kurds and the do nothing Russians. Russia is protecting their dictator that’s all there in the area for.
tom on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 1:12 pm
@ OutboardMartyr,
Aren’t you happy that Obama has kept US out of this mess?
Use your knucklehead.
The TRUTH!! on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 1:14 pm
US already armed trained and fund ISIS to invade Syria. The Bloomberg Brainwash being used to lie to US citizens. The WAR on TERROR? Is when they arm the same faction of terrorists that attacked the USA on 9/11. US Obama collecting $1.8 million in gifts from Islamic KINGS, Clintons collecting BILLIONS in Tax Free Donations. While US citizen get the BILL for protecting this FILTH. These Islamic Kings all on the Forbes Billionaire list. They are so rich they control markets not only oil. They are the terrorist factories with Terrorism for sale. They should be on the terrorist list. The worst Human and Women Abusers on the planet. Yet oue tax dollars are spent with US military protecting this filth. There are NO SANCTIONS against them, No incentives for them to extend rights to there SUBJECTS. They have no intentions of becoming democratic. They meet protest with lethal force. It is against the law to speak ill of the government or Islam. They claim the Qu’ran is their Constitution and Sharia Law is there SUBJECTS BILL OF RIGHTS. These Kings are allowed to profit off democracies and suck out profits from the “Free World”. Now ant to use them to future Invade Syria? Obama and certain members of Congress should be charged with crimes against humanity and invading a sovereign country already. And Treason to the USA. 300,000 dead millions displaced. Thanks to Putin efforts a few of these people can go home. Assad’s has always had a Parliamentary government. Making great attempts to let all religions live in peace. The only sect that were
not welcome in Syria were the Genocidal Radicals that want to kill people who don’t believe as them. The BLOOMBERG BRAINWASH is Lying to the citizens of the USA. In fact Congress even repealed the ANTI-PROPAGANDA ACTS. If you think this is conspiracy theory looks these facts up and look in places other than the BLOOMBERG BRAIN WASH the worst propaganda scheme since Hitler. Assad already said he did not want Saudi and the other Islamic Kings invading his country. Getting rid of ISIS. Yes. But paying to arm train and fund this filth then again having to pay to dismantle the filth they just propped up and put into position? Obama already called a cease fire as soon as Russia started bombing and escorted several plane loads of these terrorist back to Saudi. Most like Royalty and higher ranking Military Terrorists. We need to clean house in Washington DC. What they and the citizens of the USA DESERVE is their right to a SPEEDY TRIAL. The chances of that are about NILL.
Jessiethebody on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 1:17 pm
This is not nice.
Paul Baker on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 1:26 pm
Well this should just about start ww3 .That will leave Our new president Donald Trump something to be concerned about .
Gus on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 1:28 pm
there is the WWIII going on as the Indian minster predicted for me with the map from the bible 2008 ,told me the ww3 will starter from Syria.that is happening now i am worry for all the human been ,how much they have to suffer by some crazy money & power corruption. leaders ,they cause the fire &they play with the fire until the burn them-self &all the indecent people .
Herman on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 1:28 pm
Líes líes and more líes Saudí Arabia wont
Send any tropps neither any one else!!
WW3? on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 1:29 pm
Let them kill each other, we can save time & $$.
All this is about oil, nothing else.
Hungry bastards have no end, most of them illiterates, they’re power driven senseless sick religion followers.
Religions not matter which one is are nothing but the poison of human kind.
When one come to the point of thinking that his/her god is the supreme is about time to take a free walk & jump down from the nearest reef.
John on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 1:49 pm
There are Muslims that have no idea who God really is. They have be taught to believe in a god that is too weak and unable to do his own killing so they have to do it for him. They believe that god needs the help of puny men to get anything done. How imbecile is that form of thinking? They are brainwashed to believe such things starting at an early age and because of a lack of a full academic education they become victims of False Muslim teachings
randy on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 2:03 pm
the rag heads been fighting for so long no one can help or prevent it sooooo let them alone let them work together/apart at their own speed and the whole world will watch and see when ALL that sand turns into glass. We wont have to listen to their dribble
ABE on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 2:06 pm
The B.S. you read in yoohoo is unbelievable. Everyone knows that there is a military exercise scheduled months ago and it has nothing to do with any invasion.
lester smith on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 2:20 pm
everyone in the world knows all the information all of you genesis’s seem to think you know an no one else does. unless you are in a position to change any of these issues the only way to get your opinions across is run for office but then you have to win to make a difference???
randy on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 2:21 pm
my bad we only need 6 inches of glass to “make them happy and peacefull” no need for a foot or two of glass
randy on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 2:26 pm
Dear Lester: you have a nice day. You run for office because I dont have the contacts. enjoy your day and ???
Bill on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 2:55 pm
Saudi invade?
I think not, the only thing they invade is human rights.
Dave on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 2:56 pm
History has shown that every successful “invasion” is preceded by an Internet story highlighting the details, because ya know, the enemy doesn’t read.
Perhaps they will double down on their invasion talk and set up the film crews so that they can cover the invading force crossing into Syria. I’m sure the enemy wont suspect anything…
Stupid Stupid STOODPID
philip datta on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 2:59 pm
NOBODY CAN FIGHT FOR GOD.. THEY ARE UNBELIEVERS.. GOD HAS POWER TO FIGHT FOR HIMSELF, EVEN WITHOUT INVOLVEMENT OF HUMAN BEING…
Mitch on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:06 pm
Anyone here read the Bible. Try Ezekiel chapters 38 & 39. The believers in Messiah in Israel are already expecting it. Lord have mercy on us all….
mick lockwood on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:12 pm
this is great. its going to start a war where there is lots of oil fields. and when these oil fields are destroyed oil will go back up. its all been planed and will happen. BANK ON IT!
Allan on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:13 pm
OMG! Since when does any nation announce it’s invasion plans on the internet?
How well would that have gone at Normandy if the American forces had given the date, troop strength and invasion point.
Are they going to download preparations on Youtube too? Our they promoting a reality show “Armageddon 2, Saudi vs Iran Smack Down”.
It’s no wonder there hasn’t been a deceisive, lasting military victory since WWII.
Patton must be spinning like a top in his grave.
Charles Allen on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:17 pm
whatever they want they can do but i hate all this happening in this world now..maybe God have mercy on us
Clive Ocnacuwenga on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:23 pm
OKKKKKKKK! So You really intend to invade? 150,000. How many of those are Suadi Royals?
This is not about ISIS, its about defeating Assad and the US wont put boots on the ground.
If Israel has discussed this with the Suadis, then this as a back stab by Netanyahu who is on record as having agreed not to interfere, but now he’s using proxies. Tangled web.
IRAN and Hezbollah have serious work. If the troops come, the Turkish and Saudi Air Forces will come too. That means they will meet a 400 something in the air.
Will they also meet an ARMATA? Only time will tell.
Clive Ocnacuwenga
Simon on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:25 pm
Yeah right – as if saudis do anything other than pay others to spread Islamic terrorism…
Daniel on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:29 pm
Turkey will get in. That is no problem.
Saudi? I am not sure. It is not part of Nato. Even Saudi get in, possibly not much help. If Saudi really want to get in, it should start from Saudi’s side but why from Turkey’s side? If Saudi get in from Saudi’s side, possibly Russia would go into Saudi directly.
Davy on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:31 pm
I presume all the warmongering has discounted diplomacy and the possibility of a division of Iraq and Syria in the process. I doubt we would be privee to such information.
The power that are are not going to let this get too far out of hand because it is a no win for anyone. Everyone is hurting now economically and because this is a global world we are all stuck with each other. I suspect there is a lot more going on and will go on it will just take the usual maneuvers and horse trading.
Paul VanderJagt on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:47 pm
The only SOLUTION would be to hang barry arrest biden and all of the people associated with barry and this administration!
Roger DePipard on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 3:54 pm
LOL! The Fat Lazy Coward Pedophile Semi-Retarded Saudi Army can’t fight or beat anyone. These overfed couch-potato Saudi losers are only good for beating up their own women and molesting little boys. When the Saudis say they are sending troops somewhere what they really mean to say is that they are going to hire mercenaries from 3rd World countries to go and fight their battles for them. The Saudi Army is almost entirely made up of Mercenaries for hire from other countries, including Pakistani Pilots, Jordanian Military Officers and Yemeni soldiers.
Aristotle on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 4:02 pm
The only reason that Saudi Arabia has interest in Syria is to build a pipeline through Syria to supply Europe. They have been destabilizing this region for 30 years to accomplish this goal. Russia is correct in their assumption that this should be perceived as an act of war.
sam on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 4:10 pm
Saudi Arabia should be careful. Mercenaries are known throughout history of turning against their employers. Those 150,000 may stage a coup against the ruling family in Saudi Arabia and take over the oil rich country.
sparrow on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 4:15 pm
You do know that there are, or were, hundreds of thousands of Christians and other minorities in Syria? Whose rights were protected by a secular regime? But of course, dark Christians matter nothing to white “Christian” Europe. Never had. Germany and Britain both had their hands dirty during the genocide of Anatolian Christians 100 years ago.
sparrow on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 4:16 pm
If the Turks go to war, you can be sure they are going to do another genocide to exterminate the Armenians, Assyrians, and Chaldeans of Syria, and if Russia gets involved, they will try to finish off the remnants of the nation who survived genocide. Despicable, how you “Christians” in Europe act. Deplorable. Appalling.
Iceblue on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 4:18 pm
This might be how the AntiChrist will be revealed. It is said that the AntiChrist will show up by way of peace – something like the NATO conquers countries in the name of peace. Let us watch and see.
Tom T on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 4:24 pm
This will put Saudi and Iran in direct confrontation. Maybe this just exactly what the middle east needs.
Aristotle on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 4:35 pm
If Saudi Arabia and Iran get into a war. All the major powers need to stay out of it but unfortunately our politicians will have our soldiers on the front lines dying in endless wars for lobbyist.
lohani on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 4:38 pm
So. The so intent of the Saudis is to protect the Jihadist. Only FOOLS would miss that point.
It we are in cohorts with the Saudis, one should ask: are we really serious about fighting the Jihadists,such as the ISIS?
“The proxy forces have refused to participate in talks unless the al-Assad government stops attempting to regain territory overtaken by al-Nusra, IS and other jihadist groups.”
Ralph on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 5:10 pm
This is just about the oil.
Truth Has A Liberal Bias on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 5:45 pm
LMFAO KSA troops will get their asses kicked so bad! Maybe if they throw in a few top tier special forces and laser designate targets for aircraft from afar they might get though unscathed but if they throw a few battalions of infantry on the battle field it’s gonna be a disaster. KSA has a wake up call coming their way. Their officers are shit, their troops are untested and will quickly be exposed as incompetent and their political leaders live in a fantasy land. The Iranian Republican Guard Corps operate some of the most combat active special forces in the world. IRGC and Hezbollah will mop the floor with KSA troops.
Truth Has A Liberal Bias on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 5:57 pm
Check out the video in the article above that features the KSA artillery crew looking slack and idle then check out the link below to see how a competent artillery crew shows some hustle.
http://youtu.be/uBjGyt0Ga9Q
KSA Forces are a fucking joke.
Chandy on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 5:59 pm
Its simple, they want to increase the gas price. A war in middle east means, especially with Soudi involved. Gas price will go up to 100 plus per barrel.
John on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 6:02 pm
Thats the way it goes… And for those critics of the wahabi faith… your next here come turkey and the suadis… oh and of course the air support from the US… its gonna get fun… and at islamic lives expense. but that is the way it has always been… your religion needs to stop killing itsown and others. how fun to accuse ssomeone you don’t like and have allha kill them via haresy.
John on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 6:11 pm
WHO benifits the most in an oil CRisis….dummies USA…
John on Tue, 9th Feb 2016 6:12 pm
EXCUSE ME I Meant US OIL COMPANIES. LOL