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UAE supports US-led ground operation in Syria

February 8, 2016 at 10:01 am

The anti-Daesh international coalition should include US-led ground troops, Felesteen newspaper reported the United Arab Emirates (UAE) saying yesterday.

UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said: “I am not talking about thousands of troops, but soldiers to train and pave the way [for the coalition’s operations].”

In a press conference held in Abu Dhabi, Gargash reiterated the UAE’s support for the war against Daesh. “Our stance has not changed,” he said. “We have to see how things are going on.”

In November 2015 Gargash announced that his country is ready to take part in any international effort that “needs ground interference.”

“Our steadfast stance is that any operation against Daesh must include ground troops. We have been frustrated from the slow development of the fight against Daesh.”

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia announced that it is ready to take part in any US-led ground operation in Syria.

Spokesman of the Saudi-led operation in Yemen Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri told AFP: “If the coalition desires to launch a ground operation [in Syria], we would contribute positively to it.”