World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Syria denies plans to send troops to Yemen as ties with Saudi Arabia deepen
Syria says it has no plans to send troops to Yemen, rejecting reports of a possible deployment.
Reuters reported that a small number of Syrian military personnel had recently gone to Saudi Arabia to advise and train its forces; a Syrian source said cooperation focuses on training and sharing expertise.
The cooperation comes as Saudi Arabia faces Houthi attacks, with hostilities worsening since July as a wider Middle East conflict reignited Yemen's war.
Syria and Saudi Arabia signed a defence cooperation deal on Wednesday during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh.
The deal sets a framework for military cooperation, which could eventually expand into a mutual defence agreement or Syria joining the Mecca Pact, a pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey.
Saudi officials are due to visit Syria next month to discuss coordination, and any further expansion will depend on the countries' shared interests.
Syria says it has no plans to send troops to Yemen, rejecting reports of a possible deployment.
A Syrian diplomatic source said military cooperation with Saudi Arabia currently focuses on training, expertise exchange and military consultations.
The source said the partnership could eventually expand into a mutual defense agreement or Syria joining the Makkah Alliance, also called the Mecca Pact.
Saudi officials are expected to begin coordination visits to Syria next month.
The two countries signed a military cooperation agreement during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Riyadh.
- Who
- Syria and Saudi Arabia are deepening military cooperation. A Syrian diplomatic source denied plans to send Syrian troops to Yemen.
- What
- Syria rejected reports that it planned to deploy troops to Yemen. Its military cooperation with Saudi Arabia could expand in the future.
- When
- The reports and denial were published on November 7, 2026. The agreement was signed on Wednesday, according to the Straits Times.
- Where
- The agreement was signed during al-Sharaa’s visit to Riyadh. The possible troop deployment concerned Yemen.
- Why
- The source said cooperation supports the countries’ shared national interests. Syria’s stated priorities include internal security, reconstruction and economic recovery.
Syrian diplomatic source
Reuters report citing two Syrian military sources and a senior US official
Possible deployment to Saudi Arabia
Syrian diplomatic source
The source denied reports that Syria was preparing to deploy forces to Yemen.
Reuters report citing two Syrian military sources and a senior US official
Reuters reported that Syria had sent a limited number of military personnel to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks to provide military advice and training.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the Mecca Pact in Mecca, according to the Straits Times.
Saudi Arabia has faced worsening hostilities with the Iran-allied Houthis, the Straits Times reported.
Saudi Arabia and Syria signed a military cooperation agreement during al-Sharaa’s visit to Riyadh.
Reuters reported, citing two Syrian military sources and a senior US official, that Syria had sent a limited number of military personnel to Saudi Arabia.
A Syrian diplomatic source denied plans to send Syrian troops to Yemen and said cooperation with Saudi Arabia could expand.
- Agreement
- Military cooperation deal signed by Saudi and Syrian defense ministries
- Current cooperation
- Training, exchanging expertise and providing military consultations
- Future option
- Mutual defense agreement or Syrian accession to the Makkah Alliance
- Saudi visits
- Coordination visits to Syria expected to begin next month
- Denial
- Syrian diplomatic source said reports of plans to deploy troops to Yemen were baseless
5 sources
Damascus denies report Syria sending troops to Yemen and Saudi Arabia to fight Houthis
Syria says military cooperation with Saudi Arabia could evolve into mutual defense agreement
Thousands of Syrian troops to deploy to Yemen, Saudi Arabia: Sources to AFP
What people are saying
a broad framework for military cooperation