Syria Weighs Military Support for Saudi Arabia Amid Yemen War

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Riyadh: Syria is considering offering military aid to Saudi Arabia as the conflict with Iran-backed Houthi troops in Yemen heats up, according to US and Syrian officials briefed on the talks. According to sources, Saudi Arabia might receive defensive support against Houthi missile and drone assaults, or Syrian forces could be deployed to assist Saudi-backed Yemeni troops battling the Houthis.

A US official stated that Riyadh has sought Syrian troops for the battle. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, leading to the negotiations. Saudi Arabia sought military aid from a number of countries as Houthi attacks on the kingdom have escalated.

However, Damascus has openly stated that rebuilding Syria remains its top priority. Syria's Information Ministry stated on Thursday that any military cooperation will be conducted solely through official channels and existing bilateral accords, denying that Damascus has opted to join the Yemen war.
A Syrian deployment might also put Damascus in conflict with Iran, Hezbollah, and other regional powers, as the country's newly constituted military is still integrating former opposition units after years of civil war. According to analysts cited by Reuters, limited defensive support is doable, but large-scale deployment carries significantly higher dangers.

The Houthis have attacked Saudi targets, including airports in Riyadh and Abha, while Saudi-backed Yemeni forces are pushing back against them. The International Organization for Migration reports that over 200,000 people living in Yemen have been displaced as a result of the most recent escalation.