Syria is preparing to send around 600 special forces personnel to Saudi Arabia as Riyadh faces escalating fighting with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, officials told The Associated Press (AP).
The troops are expected to be deployed along the kingdom’s border with Yemen, potentially expanding Damascus’ involvement in the region’s escalating tensions.
The first group of special forces personnel could arrive within a week, one Syrian official said.
Syrian commanders have reportedly visited Saudi Arabia to discuss operations, including a delegation led by 82nd Division commander Khaled Khattab that spent two weeks there.
Another Syrian official said 36 military officials were hosted at a Saudi-Yemeni command center in Jeddah for briefings on front lines and operational areas.
Syrian military advisers are already providing training to Yemeni forces inside Saudi Arabia, according to two Syrian officials and a regional official.
Deepening Military Ties
The news follows a military cooperation agreement announced by Riyadh and Damascus last week.
During President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s visit to the kingdom, Saudi Arabia also agreed to lend Syria more than $400 million for housing and basic infrastructure projects.
Syria is separately discussing accession to the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in August.
The pact requires members to treat an attack on any signatory as an attack on all members.
Regional Escalation Tests Syria’s Priorities
The discussions come amid intensified fighting between the Houthis and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government forces.
Houthi strikes have also hit Saudi Arabia, widening the regional conflict that began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February.
The escalation has raised concerns about the impact on civilians. Amnesty International has warned that renewed hostilities are worsening Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and urged all sides to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need.
According to AP, sending troops to Saudi Arabia and joining the defense pact would test al-Sharaa’s commitment to rebuilding Syria while avoiding new wars.
He previously rejected proposals to deploy Syrian forces against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has become a key source of reconstruction funding and a partner in Syria’s efforts to restore regional ties.