"Are The Saudis Getting Ready To Invade Syria?" Topic

"In yet another surprising tactical maneuver, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday, March 14, that he is withdrawing the main part of his forces from Syria. While it may be premature to assess both the motive and final level of the drawdown, this could be a potential pivot in this seemingly endless crisis.

Moscow is probably feeling relatively confident in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's position and the overall direction of the peace talks and is also increasingly concerned about the high cost of the operation — during a period of a weak ruble and very low oil prices, upon which the Russian economy is dependent.

The interesting question is whether this retreat provides an opening for a significant Arab ground force to be inserted into the conflict. Coincidentally, just as Russia is pulling forces out of Syria, Saudi Arabia is completing a significant military exercise that may prove to have been a dress rehearsal for Sunni Arab engagement on the ground in that conflict. Indeed, just last week in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, some 350,000 troops, 20,000 tanks, dozens of ships, and 2,500 warplanes from 20 countries concluded the largest military exercises ever held in the Middle East…"

Full article here
t.co/e9JBSnU8VS

Amicalement
Armand

"20,000 tanks" …

Sure.

20,000 tanks assuming you count every Saudi vehicle (with or without tracks), every pre-positioned US vehicle in the neighborhood, and probably every burned-out Iraqi track lying around.

But it doesn't matter, because I doubt the Saudis are heading for Syria any time this century.

Ah, Saudi Arabia, the model country of peace and democracy in the Middle East. :-/

(Smile)

Amicalement
Armand

HAHAHAHAHAHA.

Sorry, but this won't happen. The Saudis might show up if the US and/or Turkey invades, but even at that point, I wouldn't expect them to be doing much, except trying to take credit.

HesseDarmstadt62

20,000 tanks maybe in 1/300th

Don't make me laugh. Just look at the map. The Saudis don't even have the guts to invade Yemen and rid themselves of the Houthis menace backed by their arch-rival Iran in their own backyard!

So what do you think the chances are for them to get embroiled in a messy war that's much closer to Iran in Syria?

As a peacekeeper force after all the real fighting is done?

28mm Fanatik,

What do you want the Saudis to do in Yemen? How can they "rid themselves of the Houthis menace", commit genocide by killing every Houthi?

Don't blame the Saudis on this mess. Iran did everything they could to start and promote civil war in this fragile country.

Yemen is 2 countries cobbled togethered. The Houthis have every right to live in their northern part of Yemen, but they wanted to dominate the Southern part too.

This needs a diplomatic solution. Personally, I think it needs to be split back into 2 countries.

What do you want the Saudis to do in Yemen? How can they "rid themselves of the Houthis menace", commit genocide by killing every Houthi?

Relax. I'm not suggesting at all that the Saudis should invade Yemen and rid themselves of Houthi rebels supported by Iran.

I'm merely pointing out the absurdity of the OP article in suggesting that the large scale Saudi military exercises may be a precursor to an invasion of Syria because it happens to coincide with the Russian withdrawal. Syria is even more fragmented than Yemen and needs a diplomatic solution brokered by the international community, which a Saudi invasion will certainly sabotage.

And if the Saudis invade Syria, what do you expect them to do? Commit genocide by killing every Alawite and Christian?