Saudi Arabia to host training bases for terrorists in Syria
American officials say Saudi Arabia has agreed to a request from the US administration to provide bases to train foreign-backed militants fighting against the Syrian government.
“We now have the commitment from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be a full partner in this effort – the train-and-equip program – to host that program,” a senior US government official said on Wednesday.
The agreement by Saudi Arabia reportedly came after US President Barack Obama had a telephone conversation with Saudi King Abdullah earlier on Wednesday.
During the call, the two leaders agreed on the need for increasing training and equipment for foreign-backed militants in Syria who are also fighting with Takfiri ISIL militants.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have been strong supporters of the militancy in the region through funding and supporting militant groups.
This came as US Secretary of State John Kerry is to travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to attend a high-level strategy session to discuss ways to confront the ISIL terror group in Iraq and Syria.
Senior officials from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq will also take part in the session.
Takfiri terrorists currently control parts of eastern Syria and Iraq’s northern and western regions. They have threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and Izadi Kurds, as they continue their atrocities.
The terrorist group has links with Saudi intelligence and is believed to be supported by the Israeli regime.