Syria to send thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia and Yemen border

Syria is preparing to send thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia and Yemen to help Riyadh fight Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, according to Yemeni officials speaking to AFP. The move follows cooperation agreements signed this week, including a defence deal, during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh. Syria is also considering joining a mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.

Hundreds of Syrian troops have already been deployed to both sides of the Saudi-Yemen border, according to three Yemeni military sources and a defence official. Some of these troops are currently leading drone operations against the Houthis in the border area.

“Damascus had not sent troops to Yemen "at this time".”

A source from Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council told AFP that Syria would send as many as 3,000 troops to help fend off the Houthis. A high-level Yemeni defence ministry source said the first phase would involve around 3,000 troops, but as many as 10,000 could eventually be deployed.

In contrast, three officials with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press that Syrian military advisers have already deployed to Saudi Arabia, but no fighters have been sent to Yemen. A Syrian official said an initial force of about 600 Syrian special forces fighters is expected to deploy to Saudi Arabia in the coming week.

The kingdom, a key backer of Syria's post-Assad government since late 2024, has been pressing allies for help as it comes under daily fire from the Houthis. The rebels have ramped up attacks in recent weeks, forcing Riyadh airport to close for two weeks after fatal strikes and threatening Saudi Arabia's economic diversification plans.

Syria, which has battle-hardened fighters after a long civil war, has so far stayed on the sidelines of the conflict. Saudi Arabia has provided funds to Syrian rebels during the civil war and has promised financial assistance for Syria's postwar reconstruction.