Saudi Arabia’s Talks of Plan B for Syria Are Made in the Wrong Time

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir’s recent remarks about the “Plan B” are made in the wrong time, as it might face strong opposition by both Russia and the US.

Jubeir said on Tuesday, May 17, that if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad did not abide with efforts to establish a truce across Syria country, alternatives would need to be looked at.

“We believe we should have moved to a ‘Plan B’ a long time ago,” Jubeir told reporters after a meeting of foreign governments in Vienna.

According to a report by Al Alam News Network, as translated by IFP, the plan Jubeir is talking about includes the arming of radical Syrian opposition groups with anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles.

The plan can face the strong opposition of the US and angry reaction of Russia. It is also likely that Russia arms the Syrian army with S-300 missile defense system to help them counter American, Saudi, and Turkish aircraft. Moscow may also restart “exclusive” airstrikes against armed opposition groups, and this would imply a great and deeper role for Russia in the Syrian crisis.

Jubeir’s remarks are surprising at this particular juncture, because Riyadh has been talking about its Plan B since five years ago; why should Al Saud raise it again under the current circumstances? Why didn’t such a plan come into effect when Saudi media claimed Syrian army was bombarding Aleppo and its residents?

All these remarks about the Plan B are actually aimed at misleading and deceiving the Syrian nation, not any more or less. Saudi Arabia is deeply involved in complicated cases ranging from the worsening security issues inside the country to the ongoing war in Yemen and the US lawsuit against Riyadh over its role in 9/11 terrorist attacks.