The Air Force of Saudi Arabia participated in US-led bombing strikes against the Islamic State militants in Syria, with the Kingdom’s prince Khaled bin Salman taking part in bombing runs.
In an apparent attempt to underline the leadership’s desire to wipe out the exremist group, the Saudi government has released photos of the pilot prince, son of the heir to the throne Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz taking part in the airstrikes.
Prince Khaled was to have piloted one of four planes as, for a second night, jets from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates joined American aircraft on bombing runs over Syria.
The United Arab Emirate’s first female air force pilot, Major Mariam Al Mansouri, 35, also joined prince Khaled in the skies.
Saudi Arabia was one of the main supporters of anti-Assad regime where cash and arms were funneled to insurgents but also opposed Islamist militants within the anti-Assad insurgency.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal Al Saud told SPA that the war against “terrorist” organizations would take years and require hard work and commitment from all parties.
According to reports, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have also agreed to open their military bases to train around 10,000 Syrian rebel fighters to combat Islamic State.
