Saudi Arabia wants to participate in Raqqa offensive

Saudi Arabia’s Arab Coalition Spokesperson, Major General Ahmed Al-Assiri, told Al-‘Arabiya News Agency on Thursday that his country is prepared to joined the US-led offensive to liberate Raqqa City from the so-called “Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham” (ISIS).

The Saudi commander claimed that his country is prepared to take part in the offensive if the US asked them.

“The kingdom is committed to the fight against ISIS in Syria as part of an international coalition, including air sorties delegated to it, whether from within the kingdom or via its warplanes stationed at the Turkish Incirlik base,” he told Al-Arabiya on Thursday.

Assiri stated that Saudi Arabia would not use ground forces during the offensive because the US wants local Syrian forces to conduct the operation.

The Saudi Air Force has been scrutinized by the international community recently for their ruthlessness and inaccurate airstrikes against the Yemeni people.

So, there is a good chance that they will not be included in the Anti-ISIS Coalition’s upcoming offensive.