Middle East: Saudi Arabia To Send Jets To Turkey As Russia Says 'A New Cold War' Has Begun - by Tyler Rogoway

Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusolgu said that the Saudis will be sending fighter jets and troops to Incirlik Air Base, the same Turkish air base that has been a long-time hub of U.S. air power. According to Yeni Şafak, the minister said:

“If we have such a strategy, then Turkey and Saudi Arabia may launch an operation from the land. Some parties keep saying that Turkey is unwilling in the fight against Daesh, despite Turkey’s pushes for more tangible suggestions... Saudi Arabia visited the base for exploration. Saudi Arabia declared its determination against Daesh by saying that they were ready to send both jets and troops.”

Just the mention of a potential ground offensive has enraged Russia, who just this week warned of world war should a Arab ground operation take place. There exists great mistrust between Turkey and Russia after the shooting down of one of Russia’s attack jets on the Syrian-Turkish border last November.

Now Saudi Arabia has made it clear that getting rid of Bashar al Assad—the same dictator that Russia is actively propping up—has to happen, even if by military force.

This statement holds far more weight now the Saudis are preparing to openly engage in the conflict.Beyond the rhetoric, the lines are seemingly beginning to be drawn between Russia and Assad’s Iranian-backed forces and a broader U.S. and Arab-led coalition in Syria just days before a planned ceasefire is supposed to be implemented.

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