S. Arabia ‘ready’ to send ground troops to fight Daesh

By Ahmed el-Masri

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia

Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri, advisor at the office of the Saudi defense minister, said late Thursday that his country was ready to participate in any ground offensive operations against Daesh in Syria under the umbrella of the U.S.-led international coalition.

Speaking to Al Arabiya Saudi TV channel, Asiri said that Saudi Arabia was ready to participate "if there is consensus from the coalition’s leadership".

"The kingdom is ready to participate in these efforts because we believe that only air operations will not be the best solution," Asiri said, asserting that both air and ground offensive were required to fight Daesh.

Saudi Arabia is part of the international coalition launching airstrikes against Daesh in Syria.