epa05162175 (FILE) A file photo dated 09 October 2013 showing Saudi soldiers during a military parade held few days before the Muslim's Hajj Pilgrimage 2013, near Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on 15 February 2016 reported Saudi Arabia has started the region's largest military exercise as part of a drill that involves troops from other Muslim and Arab countries. Among the 20 countries participating in the exercise are Pakistan, Egypt and Jordania. Saudi Arabia, a staunch critic of al-Assad, has confirmed sending fighter jets used by the US and allied powers to attack Islamic State militants to the Incirlik airbase in southern Turkey. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said 14 February 2016 in Riyadh that any decision by his country to deploy ground troops in Syria would be linked to the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State there. EPA/ALI HASSAN