Turkish FM calls for joint operation with Saudis against ISIS

Turkey and Saudi Arabia could launch a ground operation against Islamic State, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu was quoted as saying by the pro-government Yeni Şafak daily Saturday, Feb. 13. He said Riyadh is also sending war planes to a Turkish base to fight the extremist group. This week, Riyadh offered ground troops to fight Daesh in Syria.

DEBKAfile: Turkish and Saudi officials are limited to verbal muscle-flexing. Neither can make good on their statements. The Russians are in full control of the Syrian battlefield and any Saudi planes venturing into Syrian airspace to assist the rebel groups sponsored by Riyadh would be shot down by Russian warplanes or air defense missiles. And Moscow would give any Turkish intruders short shrift, welcoming the chance to take them down.