Daijiworld Media Network - Damascus
Damascus, Oct 8: Syria is considering sending troops to Saudi Arabia to help counter Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to a Reuters report citing a US official and a Syrian military official familiar with the discussions.
Syria is reportedly examining several options, ranging from providing defensive support and military expertise to help Saudi Arabia respond to Houthi missile and drone attacks, to potentially deploying Syrian troops to fight alongside Saudi-backed Yemeni forces.
No final decision has been taken, and Damascus has not confirmed any plan to send combat troops to Yemen.
A US official told Reuters that Saudi Arabia had asked Syria to deploy forces against the Houthis. However, the Syrian government has not publicly confirmed that it has agreed to send troops.
A Syrian diplomat said Damascus “stood firmly with Saudi Arabia” against Houthi attacks but stressed that Syria's priority remained its domestic recovery after years of war. Any military cooperation or exchange of expertise with Saudi Arabia would take place through official channels and under existing bilateral agreements, the diplomat said.
The development comes as Saudi Arabia steps up its military campaign against the Houthis following intensified attacks by the Iran-backed group on Saudi territory.
The possible Syrian military support comes amid a significant improvement in relations between Damascus and Riyadh since Ahmed al-Sharaa took power.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as an important political and economic partner for Syria as the new government works to rebuild the country after 14 years of civil war.
In February, Syria and Saudi Arabia signed a multibillion-dollar investment package covering aviation, energy, real estate and telecommunications, highlighting Riyadh's role in Syria's economic recovery.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on October 6. According to Syria's state news agency SANA, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional developments and ways to expand cooperation.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Damascus has largely sought to avoid involvement in regional conflicts while focusing on rebuilding state institutions and integrating former rebel groups into a new Syrian army.
Reuters reported that Syria had previously rejected a US request to help fight Hezbollah in Lebanon, citing similar concerns.
A decision to support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis would therefore mark a significant shift in Syria's regional policy. The Houthis are backed by Iran, while Saudi Arabia is leading a renewed campaign against the group following weeks of missile and drone attacks on the Kingdom.
For Saudi Arabia, Syrian involvement could provide another Arab partner as Saudi-backed Yemeni forces seek to push back the Houthis.
For President al-Sharaa, however, deploying Syrian troops could expose the country's still-fragile military to another conflict and potentially strain relations with Iran, Hezbollah and Iran-aligned Iraqi militias.