Possible ground operation in Syria must be agreed with Damascus or UN SC - Russian foreign ministry

MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. It is necessary to coordinate any military action in Syria, including the ground operation, with this country’s authorities or through UN Security Council mechanisms, Russian presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has told TASS. "We believe that, just like Iraq, Syria is a sovereign state. It has a central authoritative power, and (such ground operation - TASS) should be coordinated with it," he said. "Alternatively, this issue should be addressed in the collective format within the UN Security Council. (It is necessary) to develop a consolidated decision on what is the best way to counter terrorists in Syria." However, he expressed doubts that such operation would be technically possible. "I have no notion of how Saudi Arabia will be sending ground troops either to Jordan or to Turkey. As we know, Turkey has no border with Saudi Arabia. Of course, troops could be deployed with the help of aircraft," Bogdanov added. He noted that Moscow was waiting for specific explanations from Riyadh regarding Saudi Arabia’s plans for participation in the operation against the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) in Syria. "One should be aware what plans our Saudi partners have. We have no specifics at this point, only statements. They are sending some planes to Turkish territory," he said. At the same time Bogdanov added that Riyadh had so far not joined any of the mechanisms of coordinating operations in Syria. "In the meantime, we have such coordination mechanisms, including our contacts between our military and Israel and the four-party mechanism in Baghdad, which is open to all those who wish to participate in the coordination of information regarding joint struggle against terrorists," Bogdanov said. Read more