Any foreign troops sent to Syria will return ‘in coffins’, says Damascus

Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it could “contribute positively” if the US-led coalition fighting ISIL decided on ground action. Russia, meanwhile, has accused Turkey of making preparations for a military invasion of Syria.

Syrian foreign minister Walid Al Muallem talks to media during a news conference in Damascus on February 6, 2016. He warned that Syria's forces would resist any foreign ground intervention after reports that Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which both support rebel forces, could send in troops. Louai Beshara/AFPShow less

DAMASCUS // Syria’s foreign minister warned on Saturday that Saudi or other foreign troops entering his country would “return home in wooden coffins” Walid Al Muallem’s came after the collapse of the latest UN-led Syria peace efforts and as a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive near the city of Aleppo sent thousands of residents fleeing toward Turkey.

Mr Al Muallem said these recent military advances put his government “on track” to end the five-year-old civil war.

“I can say, from the achievements for our armed forces ... that we are now on track to end the conflict,” he said. “Like it or not, our battlefield achievements indicate that we are headed toward the end of the crisis.”

He called on rebel fighters to “come to their senses” and lay down their weapons.

Asked about the possibility of Saudi ground troops entering Syria, he said logic would suggest this is unlikely.

“Any ground intervention in Syria, without the consent of the Syrian government, will be considered an aggression that should be resisted by every Syrian citizen,” he said. “I regret to say that they will return home in wooden coffins.”

Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it could “contribute positively” if the US-led coalition fighting ISIL in Syria decided on ground action.

Russia’s defence Ministry meanwhile said it had “reasonable grounds” to suspect that Turkey, another opposition ally, is making intensive preparations for a military invasion of Syria.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday dismissed the Russian claim as “laughable” and blamed Moscow for the deaths of civilians in Syria.

The war of words follows the breakdown of talks in Geneva just days after UN envoy Staffan de Mistura declared the launch of indirect negotiations between a Syrian government delegation and opposition representatives.

The opposition said there was no point negotiating while pro-government troops backed by Russian air strikes escalated attacks and gained ground north of Aleppo, once Syria’s largest city. The offensive appeared aimed at encircling strongholds rebels have held in the city since 2012.

In his news conference on Saturday, Mr Al Muallem showed a newfound confidence on the part of the Syrian government, boosted by growing Russian military support. This week alone, Russian warplanes hit close to 900 targets across Syria, including near Aleppo.

His threats towards a possible deployment foreign troops followed similar comments from the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Gen Mohammad Ali Jafari.

“I don’t think they would dare do that ... If they do, they will inflict a coup de grace on themselves,” he said on Saturday, referring to Saudi Arabia.

Iran, the strongest regional ally of Bashar Al Assad, openly provides financial and military support to the Damascus government but denies having troops on the ground in Syria.

*Associated Press and Agence France-Presse