Syria to Support Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Rebels with Planned Troop Deployment

Syria is standing alongside Saudi Arabia to counter Houthi rebels and strengthen the Yemeni government, with plans to deploy approximately 3,000 Syrian troops to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Yemeni military and government officials claim that hundreds of troops have already been deployed on both sides of the border. Speaking to AFP on Saturday (November 7), three separate military sources and a defense official in Yemen provided these details.

A source from Yemen’s ruling Presidential Leadership Council stated that Syria has agreed to send about 3,000 troops to join the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said Saudi Arabia and Syria have reached an agreement on troop deployment to counter the Houthi threat.

A high-level source in Yemen’s Ministry of Defense stated that the initial phase involves deploying about 3,000 troops, which could later exceed 10,000. These personnel will include military officers and experts. The official added that technical teams from the defense ministries of Syria and Saudi Arabia are currently finalizing preparations in Riyadh.

A Yemeni military official stated that the troops currently deployed on the Yemeni side of the border are conducting drone operations against the Houthis in that region. Yemeni sources noted that the agreement was reached during Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara’s visit to Saudi Arabia this week. During the visit, the two nations signed multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding, including provisions for defense cooperation.

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the primary supporters of Syria’s new administration. Meanwhile, Riyadh is seeking assistance from allied nations to strengthen the Yemeni government and ensure its own security amid recent Houthi escalations.
In recent weeks, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have increased, targeting critical infrastructure such as airports and oil facilities. The report noted that Riyadh airport had to be closed for two weeks following an attack, placing Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plans at risk.

However, Syria has presented a differing stance regarding troop deployment. In a statement to Syrian state news agency SANA on Saturday, a diplomatic source denied reports of sending troops to Yemen, clarifying that military cooperation with Saudi Arabia is currently limited to training, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise, as Syria’s primary priorities remain internal security and reconstruction.

Previously, a Reuters report indicated that dozens of Syrian military personnel had traveled to Saudi Arabia to provide military advice and training, though no information was provided regarding direct participation in the conflict in Yemen.

Sources: AFP, Reuters