Middle East

As Syria cease-fire looms, fighting escalates

While a cease-fire in Syria is supposed to take place by week’s end, the fighting is escalating and new parties, such as Saudi Arabia, are preparing to enter the fray.

The recent developments come after the United States and Russia brokered a truce agreement early Friday in Munich for a "cessation of hostilities" in Syria's long-running civil war that could begin in a week.On Sunday, Turkey announced the arrival of Saudi military jets that are poised to join the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State militants in Syria. Turkey and Qatar are also considering sending ground troops into the fight, according to the Andalou News Agency.

In a letter to the United Nations Security Council on Sunday, Syria's foreign ministry accused Turkey of shelling government forces in northern Syria and sending military supplies accompanied by gunmen into its country, according to the Al Arabiyatelevision network.