Saudi Arabia confirms sending warplanes to Turkey ‘for ISIL fight’

Saudi Arabia confirms it has dispatched warplanes to the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey, claiming that the move was in line with the so-called fight against ISIL Takfiri terrorists in Syria.

Speaking to al-Arabiya television network on Saturday, Brigadier General Ahmed al-Asiri, a Saudi military spokesman, claimed that the kingdom was committed to battling ISIL.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey are widely believed to be among major sponsors of terrorist groups operating against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Asiri said no ground troops are currently stationed at the air base, adding, “What is present now is aircraft that are part of the Saudi Arabian forces.”

On Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the Yeni Safak newspaper that Riyadh had inspected the air base in preparation for the dispatch of the military aircraft.

“They (Saudi officials) came, did a reconnaissance of the base. At the moment it is not clear how many planes will come,” Cavusoglu said, adding, “They said, 'If necessary we can also send troops'.'”

The Turkish minister said Ankara and Riyadh could launch a ground operation in Syria “if there is a strategy.”

ME