Syria rules out troop deployment to Yemen, says military ties with Saudi Arabia could expand

The partnership could eventually develop into a mutual defence agreement or lead to Syria joining the Mecca Pact, the source said (Photo: Reuters).

Syria has no intention of deploying troops to Yemen, a Syrian diplomatic source said, rejecting reports of a possible military deployment while indicating that defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia could deepen in the future.The diplomatic official clarified to the state news agency SANA after several news outlets previously reported that Syria had sent a small contingent of military personnel to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks to advise and train its forces as the kingdom faces attacks from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.The report cited two Syrian military sources and a senior US official, as per Reuters.Saudi Arabia has faced escalating hostilities with the Houthis since July, when the wider Middle East conflict reignited fighting in Yemen. Riyadh has since been looking to secure defensive and offensive military assistance from several allies.The Syrian source said the existing cooperation with Saudi Arabia was centred on training, strengthening military capabilities and sharing expertise. Visits by Saudi officials to Syria for coordination purposes are expected to begin next month, the source added.The partnership could eventually develop into a mutual defence agreement or lead to Syria joining the Mecca Pact, depending on the common interests of the two countries, the source said.The pact is a defence agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey in Mecca in August. Turkey ratified the agreement on Thursday, paving the way for Ankara to extend military support to Riyadh.Syria and Saudi Arabia signed a defence cooperation agreement on Wednesday during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Riyadh. It was his second meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in less than a month.A senior Syrian diplomat described the agreement as “a broad framework for military cooperation”, Reuters reported.Syria has drawn closer to Saudi Arabia and the United States since rebels led by Sharaa ousted Iran-aligned president Bashar al-Assad in 2024.