King Salman: Other countries should not interfere in Saudi Arabia's internal affairs

King Salman of Saudi Arabia emphasized on Sunday, February 6, that "we have the right to defend ourselves," urging other countries not to interfere in Saudi Arabia's internal affairs without naming a specific country. Speaking at a ceremony in Riyadh, he added: "We cooperate with our Arab and Muslim brothers in all areas to defend our lands, ensure their independence, and protect their governments that are endorsed by their people." Since ascending to the throne a year ago, King Salman has gathered an alliance of Arab countries to conduct military action against the Iranian-backed Houthi Shiites in an effort to restore the Yemeni government to power. Saudi Arabia is also dissatisfied with the power dynamics in Syria, and in this context, the Saudi army announced on Thursday that the country is prepared to send ground forces to Syria if the coalition decides to do so; a news that the U.S. welcomed. Following these reports, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates also announced their readiness to send ground forces to Syria within this framework. In response to these developments, the foreign minister of Bashar al-Assad's government warned the Saudis and Turkey, stating that "the aggressors will return to their country in coffins." Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, also commented that "the Al Saud regime claims it will send direct forces to Syria, but I don't think they have the courage to do so, and if they do, they will have shot themselves in the foot." Meanwhile, the "Kata'ib Hezbollah" (Hezbollah Brigades) of Iraq, an Iranian-backed Shiite militia, warned Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Cooperation Council allies that sending ground forces to Syria would "open the gates of hell." According to Reuters, the group stated in its statement: "The Arab kingdoms tried to implement their wicked plans in Iraq and Syria through ISIS mercenaries, but they failed." The statement further urged "the sons of Al Saud and the rulers who support them" not to "take risks and learn a lesson." The "Kata'ib Hezbollah" group, led by Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, leads the radical Shiite militia groups fighting alongside the Iraqi army against ISIS in the country. This group has also sent its fighters to Syria to support Bashar al-Assad.