Syria Denies Yemen Troop Deployment as Military Ties with Saudi Arabia Expand

Nov 7 (Reuters) – Syria has no plans to dispatch troops to Yemen, a diplomatic source confirmed to the state news agency SANA, dismissing speculative reports of a potential deployment. The source noted that ongoing military cooperation between Damascus and Riyadh focuses primarily on training, capability building, and expertise exchange, though it could expand in the future.

Saudi Arabia has faced escalating tensions with the Iran-aligned Houthis since the broader regional conflict reignited the Yemen war in July. In response, Riyadh has actively sought defensive and offensive support from a coalition of regional allies.

Earlier reports indicated that Syria had sent a small contingent of military personnel to Saudi Arabia to advise and train Saudi forces amid ongoing Houthi attacks. The diplomatic source clarified that current efforts are centered on collaborative training and strategic coordination, with official visits scheduled to begin next month. This cooperation could eventually evolve into a mutual defense pact or see Syria join the Mecca Pact, depending on aligned strategic interests.

The Mecca Pact, a defense agreement signed in August by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, recently saw ratification from Ankara, paving the way for Turkey to provide military support to Riyadh.

The defense cooperation agreement was signed in Riyadh following a meeting between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A senior Syrian official characterized the deal as a comprehensive framework designed to deepen military collaboration between the two nations.

Since the transition of power in 2024, which saw the removal of Bashar al-Assad, Syria has aligned closely with Saudi Arabia and the United States, shifting regional dynamics.

(Reporting by Enas Alashray and Menna Alaa El Din; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Hugh Lawson)

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