Egyptian Army soldiers in Sinai peninsula, By the Egyptian Ministry of Defense
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told reporters on May 4 that replacing the US troops in Syria with Arab troops is a possibility that is being discussed by officials from various countries, according to the Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram. However, Shoukry didn’t name the countries discussing the new plan.
“This proposition is not only being discussed by the media, but also during discussions and deliberations amongst officials of states to look into how these ideas could contribute to stabilizing Syria,” Shoukry told the reporters, according to Reuters.
Few hours after Shoukry’s remarks, Ahmed Abu Zeid spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt denied in an official statement that Egypt is planning to send troops to Syria and said that Shoukry was talking about the situation in general.
“The Egyptian foreign minister’s statement on the possibility of sending Arab forces to Syria was not about Egypt. Egypt is not sending its troops abroad … The principles that govern sending Egyptian forces outside the country are known to everybody. That won’t happen unless it was in line with constitutional mechanisms, and rules and regulations that have been affirmed more than once, such as cases related to United Nations peacekeeping operations,” Abu Zeid said in the official statement.
Senior US official told the WSJ last month that US President Donald Trump is planning to establish an Arab force that would replace US troops in Syria and to pressure the Iranian forces in the country.
However, many close allies of the US appear to be not excited with Trump’s plan. Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani said on April 26 that deploying Arab troops in Syria would only compacte the situation there.
Now with Egypt also refusing to take part in Trump’s new plan in Syria, local observers doubt that Saudi Arabia or the UAE will accept an idea of sending their troops on the war-torn country.
A wise move. The French must be panicking by now.
Send troops from Saudi Arabia to Syria. They will die in less than 24 hours. Syria is not Yemen. Even in Yemen they are being defeated. MbS is an idiot. Trump takes advantage.
unfortunately in yemen they are winning. slowly, but sure.
Tooooo slowly against the poorest Arab countries.
In Syria, US does not even have a viable ground force. When Iran warn the Kurds again resistvand die with their families and roots, rest be assured US would be alone.
This Trump knows and hence the statements to withdraw to let other Muslims to die on behalf.
Well none is willing
Tooooo slowly against the poorest Arab countries.
compare ussr vs. afghanistan
urss x afghanistan is past. We are talking of the present.
the situation is better for saudis. they will win. ussr lost.
Look up Egypt’s own past adventurism in Yemen – they spent best part of the 1960’s in military action there, and all they ended up with was 10,000 Egyptian casualties and massive debts as consequence. Furthermore, this distant commitment likely deeply comprised Egypt’s overall performance in 1967 war against Israel. Time will tell if the Saudi’s fair any better.
MbS = Mega bull Shitter
Could be that the Egyptians are holding out for more money. Trump doesn’t have any, but the Saudi’s have plenty. I wouldn’t be surprised if Egypt were to come around after MBS makes a generous contribution to the right ‘people’.
Could be a face saving plan, US troops replaced by Egyptian who just happen to be fighting ISIS in the Siani. Egypt gets big bucks for its army, and withdraws from east of the river turning over lands to Syrian government. Kurd plan is doomed because of Turkey, so a new plan.
Somehow I doubt this. The US seems determined to contest Iran inside Syria. For them to pack up home….., seems counter intuitive. If no Arab army emerges to take its place then Trump is sure to let it be known that the US will stay. If Saudi Arabia and the UAE are willing to pay for it that is.
Sadly I must agree with you, I was having one of those fantasy moments.
Will be funny see the pussies of Saudi Army against the hardcore Hezbollah………..is not a fight, is a massacre
‘You can’t believe the story until it is “officially denied”‘
It would have been extremely surprising if Egypt did decide to participate, since they are dealing with an ISIS insurrection at home and a regional cold war with gulf states and they have lawless Libya for a border.
Egypt should remember how FUKUS (France, UK, US) tried to do to them what they did to Libya and what they are trying to do to Syria. Why should Egypt kiss FUKUS’s ass?
Brain dead ideas. Shows US is aware their positions in Syria is not viable and would be shamed to withdraw .
So try to use Arab forces to die on behalf as usual.
““This proposition is not only being discussed by the media, but also during discussions and deliberations amongst officials of states to look into how these ideas could contribute to stabilizing Syria,” Shoukry told the reporters, according to Reuters.” —————– For “stabilising Syria” read “keep Syria in a state of permanent chaos and get those phücking Eye-ranians OUT!”
So… a great idea for Trump – because people are going to die and his deplorables won’t care how many Arabs fertilize Syrian ground just as long as it’s not their “loved ones” returning home in bits ‘n pieces squished into body bags.