Saudi Arabia confirms role in strikes against Islamic State in Syria
Saudi Arabia's air force participated in US-led bombing strikes against Islamic State insurgents in Syria, its official news agency said on Wednesday, a rare foreign sortie for the kingdom's military.
Saudi Arabia, a US ally, the world's top oil exporter and birthplace of Islam, has funnelled cash and arms to rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but has also opposed Islamist militants within the anti-Assad insurgency.
"An official source revealed that Saudi air forces took part in military operations in Syria against the Islamic State group and to support the moderate Syrian opposition, within an international coalition, to combat terrorism..., and to support the fraternal Syrian people in returning security, unity and development to this devastated country," the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.
