111
DUBAI: The head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard said on Saturday Saudi Arabia lacked the courage to go through with a plan to send ground troops to Syria, and warned they would be wiped out if they went in.
Mohammad Ali Jafari's blunt words on the Fars news agency were Iran's first official reaction to a statement from its regional rival Saudi Arabia this week that it was ready to join ground operations in Syria if a US-led military alliance decided to start them.
“(The Saudis) have made such a claim but I don't think they are brave enough to do so ... Even if they send troops, they would be definitely defeated ... it would be suicide,” Jafari was quoted as saying.
A general from the kingdom had said on Thursday that. Saudi Arabia is ready to join any ground operation the US-led coalition against the militant Islamic State group in Syria might decide on. Saudi Arabia supports certain militant groups against Assad's forces.
Iran has already sent forces to Syria to back its ally President Bashar al-Assad in his country's five-year-old civil war. Washington and its allies have backed militants fighting Assad and say he must eventually step down.
Tensions between the two Muslim countries had sparked following the execution of Saudi dissident Sheikh Nimr and the subsequent attack on Saudi mission in Iran by protesters.
Earlier in January, Saudi Arabia and some of its allies broke off ties with Iran over the embassy attack. The United Arab Emirates downgraded relations while some others recalled their envoys in protest.
The Iranian government had quickly distanced itself from the attack, saying the protesters had entered the Saudi embassy despite widespread efforts by the police to stop them.
The development came two weeks before Iran emerged from years of economic isolation when world powers lifted crippling sanctions against the Islamic Republic in return for Tehran complying with a deal to curb its nuclear ambitions.
Read more
Saudi ready to join anti-IS ground operations in Syria
Syria says any foreign troops will return 'in coffins'
The volatile fusion: Origins, rise & demise of the ‘Islamic Left’
Shia-Sunni schism: A challenge to world peace
Saudi execution exposes dangerous political and religious divisions
The Saudi-Iran showdown
On DawnNews
Comments (111) Closed
Feb 06, 2016 03:46pm
Iran and saudi taking it to next level now.they want to ake sure that it becomes another afghanistan.same like india and pakistan play games in afghanisatn.iran and saudi starting it in syria.God bless humanity.capitalism is and will always be a curse to humanity.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 03:48pm
Like a boss, fixed it, nipped it nailed it !
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 03:52pm
Instead of promoting Muslims brotherhood they are busy in war of words... Shameful act....
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 03:56pm
Amoungst GCC countries, Oman is the only country which had fought land war very couragesly and successfully the insurgency in the South of the country. Rest have no courage to fight the land war.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:05pm
The KSA will not send troops as a part of US led alliance simply because there is not and will not be such an alliance. USA does not want a war with Russia that is now entrenched in Syria. The war in Syria will be won in the next 18 months by Assad's allies inc. Iran with the Russian air support and her modern weapons.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:05pm
I regret this Iranian mindset.
Had it been with some senses, Iranians would have suggested Saudis to have hands in hands to sort out this mess.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:06pm
A very pathetic performance in Yemen.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:16pm
let the game begin...........
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:16pm
immature statement.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:19pm
@Atam Vetta The Syrian army has, more or less already won, or at least turned the tied in their favor.
Rest of 2016 will be the clean up of pockets of resistance around the country and end the bloodshed. I expect 2017 will see the start of the massive rebuilding effort in Syria, as well as Lebanon, as Iranian oil revenue starts to flow in time with rise in oil prices eventually helps every economy, including the Russians.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:27pm
Settling score though proxie wars? This is as dirty as it could possibly get and end is neigh for the poor Syrians, what a shame!
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:30pm
Our neighbour statement is shameful. They were using Aziz Baluch in Pakistan disturbance.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:30pm
The adventure in Yemen has been anything but a success. And they don't want to learn anything from history.
From the American misadventure in Vietnam; Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Saddam's invasion of Kuwait, all are bitter lessons for all powers to study. Nepoleon failed to take over Soviet Union, and perished in exile. Hitler tried to conquer Paris, which led to the demise of the Nazis and his own suicide. All invaders eventually fail to subdue land where they are not welcomed!
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:32pm
Talk is cheap. I don't see Saudis going into Syria, unless they are suicidal.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:38pm
If KSA and Turks only block financing of Daesh, this disease will die much quicker and more natural death.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:38pm
Some nations just don't learn. Iran can potentially change itself immensely following lifting of sanctions. But it seems hell bent to go backwards.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:39pm
What purpose such statements can serve. These ill sentiments will further increase the gap between two countries. I consider statement of Iran as uncalled for and childish.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:39pm
Time for two Shatifs to go to two countries we all they can bring them together!!
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:41pm
Saudis started this Syria mess and its their obligation to end it.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:43pm
Only IRAN had the courage to send its VOTUNTEERS to fight in Syria !
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:44pm
My countrymen keep remember that we are Pakistani first and there is no second thing. This is old war between these two countries so keep away from it. God bless you.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:51pm
The world powers want to create misunderstanding between KSA and Iran in order to be enemies for ever and then they fish in the troubled water. Please sit on a negotiating table and redress each other's grievances instead of to be at daggers drawn for ever.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:52pm
I see Iran rising, and Saudi prestige fading away.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:54pm
Saudi Arabia was not invited by Syrian govt. to help them to fight with ISIS but Saudi Arab decides on his own
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 04:56pm
The arguments between the two muslim countries is a shame
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:02pm
If KSA ever sent troops in Syria, they would definitely be Pakistani troops
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:03pm
Israel Giggles while these 2 Brothers Fight!
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:04pm
Its fact..
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:10pm
Such severity between iran and saudia is detrimental to muslims across the world
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:21pm
Sad to see confrontation between to Muslim countries. No Muslim country should interfere in other countries affairs and no country should send their troops to any other country to fight a war. Not acceptable
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:21pm
The western powers with the help of their allies have destroyed the peace of the middle East just to gain their popularly and agamoney in the region
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:21pm
Start preparing for ww3. It is coming sooner than expected.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:26pm
saudia is reponsible to start this sense less war, again they r doing the wrong
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:27pm
Provocative and disgusting statement only to divide the muslims.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:28pm
True, KSA has no courage to be leader either due to its dependence on Americans.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:28pm
@Adnan Mazher Khan Why do you think so. Saudis were not going after ISIS, they were talking about going after Assad regime. It is an obvious reaction from Iran.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:31pm
Although Iran do have war experiences but we suggest that they shouldn't go for war with Saudi and both the country restrain as much as they can. They also should act like responsible countries and resolve their issue on table, otherwise war will not give anything to these two countries. Saudis have to act like big brother and Iran should respect Saudi Arab. Please we all should respect each other, otherwise war will ruin entire region.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:31pm
Such useless statements only add fuel to fire. Iran and Saudi, both needs to sit down and sort out their differences, else both will meet the same fate as Syria.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:34pm
The falso bravado and toxic nationalism that is deep rooted in Iran, is getting better out of them. What was the need of this silly statement? Pakistan wasted it's time trying to mediate with these two countries.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:36pm
Why Iran has created these proxies?
Iranian mullahs and their egoes will destroy the whole region.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:36pm
Saudi has more courage as they are publicly sending army...Iran only calls their troops as advisers and deny direct presence
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:43pm
@shuaib : How Aley Saud can even be imagined to help clear the mess when they are supporting and providing all assistance to the groups fighting to dislodge Asad and even sending hired mercenaries for this purpose ??
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:44pm
Iran is correct, KSA is too dependent on foreigners including Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:56pm
@Asghar why should outsiders intervene, let Syrians decide what they want.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 05:59pm
Iran and Saudi Arabia must resolve their issues privately and should not was dirty linen in public because this damages Islam's image and creates unnecessary blocks in Muslim Ummah as well. PM Pakistan should take another trip of Riyadh and Tehran because it is clear that events are again headed in the wrong direction at a very fast pace....
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:02pm
I wish someone could think of the condition of Syrians trapped inside Syria. what wreck others are causing to the lives of Syrians it can bet we'll have a boomerang effect
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:06pm
I think Iran is provoking Saudi Arabia as to trap them in Syria after Yemen.
Saudis should be careful to respond to such hollow challenging slogans.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:06pm
@Shabbir H. Kazmi exactly.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:09pm
I don't think saudi will send troops and even if they did, they will not be in the battlefield. Apparently, they were in former coalitions but the US lead the way as usual. Both nations must resolve their issues through back channels and then bring this to an end. Saudis funded and created ISIS, nobody denies that so the last thing they should do is put more insult to injury by doing this.
Iran is no child in this game also and should use its old Persian wisdom to try to diffuse from its side. In the end only muslims will die and that is what the real tragedy is.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:17pm
Pakistan should sent its troops to help KSA protect the holy sites.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:24pm
There they go again, but I agree with the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard. KSA most probably would again apply pressure on Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:31pm
Saudis understand its an instigating attempt to show cards without base. No one should underestimate any one. Think of Ummah with wisdom.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:46pm
This man is 100% correct -
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:47pm
Saudi Arabia or any Arab country in the region has no march to modern powerful and well oiled Iranian military, Iran has more advantage if Arab countries try to bring this war to Iranian's . It's better that KSA should keep it's affair within their boundaries, otherwise it will be a big disaster for ummah
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:47pm
Iranian can challenge like that because they have an elected government whereas Saudi Monarchy has no roots in common people they can only rely on open support of American
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:48pm
@usama Wrong! Iran started the whole thing by using Houthis to topple the government in Yemen. Have you forgotten so quickly.
What everyone is surprised about is that the Saudis are responding, when they never did before.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 06:50pm
I am 100% agreed with the Iranian statement. This type of courageous statement can only come from Iranian who have great courage to give hard time to US in Persian gulf and Israel in South Lebanon/Gaza
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:09pm
I felt that Iran is trying to teach Saudia Arabia that they are weak in front of Iran and provoking them to make a mistake and send in the troops. Iran is stupid for stepping in Syria. Which ever country steps into war, always pays the price by its economy.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:10pm
there we go again. Both muslim countries threatening each other. Cant one of you keep quiet, better still both keep quiet. The amount of men Iran is losing in syria, there is nothing to be gleeful about. families are losing loved ones for a war, that is not even yours.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:12pm
@Skeptic agree fully bro.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:26pm
What a statement, they seem to want to take whole Muslim world down into Darin if we are not there already. Enemy of Muslims already happy to see them fight now will celebrate.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:36pm
Question to House of Saud, before entering in another war in Syria please give your progress of forgotten war in Yemen and Libya.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:38pm
This is the ummah setting a great example of unity to people. Pathetic.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:43pm
Saudi wants to send troops to battle ISIS. Iran is threatening them. So is Iran backing ISIS? This is one confusing war!
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:43pm
There is a huge fire from Libya to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Wherever US and their allies touched in last 15 years. World is frustrated with the adventurism of US and their Arab and non Arab allies.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:47pm
Unused power is a strength. When it is used, weaknesses come out, and an opponent can easily exploit them to its advantage.
Please don't make Ummah more weak. Do use use your potential to our strength.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 07:51pm
for sure they lack courage ....
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 08:15pm
Iran and Saudi Arabia are both stupid countries with more money than coomon sense. Only the west benefits from them killing each other. There should be no sunnies whatbis Shia etc. Only muslims.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 08:18pm
Iran and Saudi do not care for muslim lives. It's just politics and power and the poor weak and needy suffer.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 08:24pm
KSA's downfall has already begun. They should be wise and avoid this grave mistake of sending troops to Syria. They want to go against Iran in Syria. They will only expedite their downfall. KSA will force Pakistan to participate and Pakistan at all cost must stay out. However, the lack of vision, short sightedmess, business and vested interest of Pakistan's leadership will unfortunately drag Pakistan into this catastrophic mess.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 08:25pm
@pervaiz 100% agree
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 08:30pm
Conflicts such as KSA-Iran, US-USSR, India-Pakistan, South Korea-North Korea and countless others are all what we refer to in English as 'cut your nose to spite your face'.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 08:43pm
Iran should not forget that Assad, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Hizbollah and Hizbe Wahdat combinged together were facing imminent defeat at the hand of syrian people until putin rescued them. Even today putin withdrws his air power iran and its proxies will be wiped out from syrian soil. Iranian ayatullah areplaying an extremely dangerous game in the region.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 08:48pm
Iran should learn to live peacefully and not challenge KSA and Pakistan. We want peace with Iran but not at cost of insults. Remember we are the only nuclear armed country in the OIC.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 08:51pm
Very irresponsible comment.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 08:58pm
Time for KSA to show it's muscles on the ground and stop using proxies.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:00pm
@saad . Capitalism is and will always be a curse to humanity. Agreed.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:06pm
@Zubaida khan Saudi have started the whole mess in the Middle East they are interfering in Yemen and Syria just to safe guard their own regime, try to understand please.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:08pm
@WASI QURESHI Extremely shameful shows the real face of Iran which goes on giving asylum to people like Uzair Baloch
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:09pm
@i2i Please read the history of Middle East , Iran army is the best in the region. They fought 10 years with the whole world during Saddam and are at par with the Americans.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:09pm
Saudi should not be relying other countries ground troops to lead their war in Syria and Yemen. Their statement is proof that Saudi Soldiers are not capable of fighting any war.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:14pm
assad regime is hated by 90% of syrian people and is only standing on the fragile supports of russia and iran.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:14pm
Looks like no effect of Raheel Sharif's mediation
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:17pm
@Kamal Pasha Read history friend, it was the Brits who put down the insurgency you are referring to in Oman with the help of the SAS.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:21pm
"Saudis lack courage .... And they will be wiped out" Iranian head of guards in out of line here! Iran should be happy that there is another nation coming for help. Looks like Iran now considers Syria its domain or has something to hide.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 09:40pm
I have never understood the concept of two armies for a single country, Iran is the only country that seems to have them. A regular army to defend the country and a very elite army to defend the revolution. Why would you need an army to defend the revolution if the people stand by it?
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 10:04pm
@nauman what is your source of this misinformation?
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 10:07pm
The head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard gave the statement because he knows Russian are in Syria to protect them! Other wise there position was very weak before Russia.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 10:10pm
Both ksa and Iran are just bursting for a desire to destroy the whole region. Such a deliberate erosion of peace. Muslims can't afford a world war in middle east.
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 11:31pm
@mirza it's on!
Recommend
0
Feb 06, 2016 11:32pm
@Akram that's right, you commit crimes, you get punished for them..period.
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 12:06am
The King in the Persian empire made the same comments of the Arabs at that time that the Rag tag Arabs are not brave enough what happened its history that's why iran is Muslims country..Unity is the best policy between these two nations and should work for peace.
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 01:27am
@Prateek Second that
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 01:29am
@imran ali who is threatening the holy sites? This is just the argument based on which Ksa is begging pakistan and other gulf states to provide military support
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 01:38am
That what they said about Yemen last year.
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 02:05am
I would have to agree with the Iranian general on this one.
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 02:47am
Saudis boast that they their troops have successfully fought in Yemen and now can fight in Syria against Syrian forces (disguising as if fighting ISIS). The fact is that Yemenis are the poorest nation in the world with no air defense and modern fighting weapons like the Saudis have. It has been an year of bombing almost and thousands of civilians killed by bombing. Saudis are just trying to catch up to get positive attention from West while behind the scenes they support forces that are fighting and killing people in Syria. All this they did to create to try to make a buffer corridor through Syria for oil and gas pipelines to Europe while fooling the people as if they are liberating and used paid proxies called fake Syrian rebels
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 05:29am
@nauman seems you are not aware that 90%of Syrians hate external intervention and definitely the role Qatar and Saudi has played in destroying their country. They stand behind Bashar (Syrian army is 80% Sunnis) and majority of Sunnis fully support their government against foreign aggression
How many times have you been to Syria ? I have been there 6 times and have wide ranging connections with both sides of the Conflict. Funny enough even opposition to Bashar does not want Saudis to interfere. The murder of 250,000 Syrians by the hand of Rebels (almost all non-Syrians) supported by GCC is the reason for their strong reservation against Saudis.
If Pakistan wants to stay away, it will be really good for our nation
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 09:33am
It nothing but a provocation and highly irresponsible statement. it will further aggravate the problem and will not solve the issue
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 11:02am
Bashar Asad and the people of Syria are Muslims. ISIS and the other rebels are NOT Muslims. Muslims don't bomb the hospitals and schools of their own country. Muslims don't accept guns from Israel.
Pretty much every Iranian fighting in Syria at this moment is there voluntarily to protect the Muslims who are being massacred by Israeli and Saudi proxies.
In this context, Saudia Arabia blurts out that they want to send troops to Syria to help ISIS and any other rebels that might need help killing Muslims. An Iranian general reponds "Please don't. We don't want your poor soldiers who have no freedom of choice to die needlessly."
Perhaps Al-Saud should personally go to Syria to help their ISIS.
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 11:38am
the Iranian military commander's comments hold some weight as Saudi forces on the ground have suffered major losses in their campaign against Yemen not forgetting that all the military purchases in billions of dollars by the the Saudis have been ineffective ...
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 12:16pm
@NT it's not because of Iran mainly because of Russia that all the major powers including US and Europe are avoiding sending their troops. If minus Russia the war would have ended long ago.... but Saudia should be very careful in sending their troops as the backlash would be severe
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 01:05pm
@Raja Farhat Abbas, I have lived in Oman for nearly 30 years and I know better than you. Brits were only advisors but the fighters were all Omanis.
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 04:10pm
@Naxalite They are not brothers and GCC countries never consider Iran as brothers.
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 04:35pm
When there was a genocide in Bosnia not one Islamic nation came to their rescue, Iran was the only country that sent troops through Croatia to stabilize the situation, on the contrary Bosnians were all Ottoman Sunnis, not one single Shia in Bosnia Herzegovina. Saudis, Emiratis, or any GCC countries could never get into a conventional war except among themselves.
Recommend
0
Feb 07, 2016 08:56pm
@fwaggle ... Well explained the whole sotuation
Recommend
0
Feb 08, 2016 06:11am
@Skeptic Your assessment and conclusion is true and must be considered and adhered to by all right thinking people.
Recommend
0
Feb 08, 2016 09:53am
@pervez when can we say there should be no......... but all should be treated as humans ? The day we learn to recognize we are human first , and there should be no killing only on the basis of faith, it surely would be great day.
Recommend
0
Feb 08, 2016 09:12pm
@Kamal Pasha ok Mr know it all. I still say you don't know what you are talking about.
Recommend
0
Feb 09, 2016 03:39am
@Skeptic Irrespetect who stay and who leaves Syria,this country must be together anc in one piece other wise the real winner would be Israel and US. Israle has already annexed Golan Hiegths and it insaible thirst and desire to grab more land would bemuch more easier and as we all know US will play another game such dived Syria pose an existantial threat and danger to Israel hence grab more land and Israel in turn ask more weapons. What a dirty game US is playing in ME again?
Recommend
0
Feb 09, 2016 12:22pm
@jamshed: The US is a pawn, a politicians-and-army for hire. The average American is so ignorant about what is going on in the world, that it really isn't fair to blame them for anything.
Instead, someone should start an education program for the American people. Someone should let them know that Homo sapiens doesn't mean American people, it includes Mexicans and Native Americans, and believe it or not, Middle-eastern people too.
There, I said it. Middle-easterners are people too. And they are vastly more intelligent than Americans, they are more compassionate, more generous, and all-around better people in my humble opinion.
The Iranian people have been in Iran since at least 2600 years ago. (If the Margiana-Bactria archeological zone is taken to be the original Indo-Aryan culture, then Iranians have been in the Mideast since 3200BC. Iranians need not fear Arabs or Ashkenazi Jews or Americans. They were here before all of us, they will be here long after the name USA is forgotten.
Recommend
0
