Syria is carefully considering providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia, one of its key allies, amid the escalating war against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. This was stated by an American official and a Syrian military official who is aware of the matter.
Details of Saudi Arabia's request
The options that Syria is considering include defensive aid to protect the kingdom against attacks or sending forces in an offensive manner to assist Yemeni forces backed by Saudi Arabia in fighting the Houthis. The American official stated that Saudi Arabia has requested Syria to send forces to fight the Houthis.
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In response to a request for comment from the Syrian Foreign Ministry, a Syrian diplomat emphasized that Syria firmly supports Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, but the government's main focus is on domestic priorities such as reconstruction from the country's civil war. He stated, "If Saudi Arabia requests any military cooperation or exchange of expertise, this will be done exclusively through official channels and within the framework of bilateral agreements governing relations between the two brotherly countries."
Potential consequences of Syria's involvement
Saudi Arabia is seeking extensive assistance, including from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East for defensive and offensive support in a new war against the Houthis. This war has begun following weeks of missile and drone attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia.
Syria, led by President Ahmad al-Shara'a, traveled to Riyadh on Tuesday for a public meeting and met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (known as MbS). During this meeting, the possibility of military cooperation between Syria and this kingdom was discussed. Images broadcast by Syrian state media showed him being escorted towards his aircraft by Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi Minister of Defense and brother of the Crown Prince.
Any deployment of forces by Syria to Yemen may escalate tensions with neighbors and other groups. Syrian forces, which have been hired as mercenaries in other conflicts, including in Libya and the Russia-Ukraine war, from opposition groups that fought against Bashar al-Assad in the civil war, could face risks. The Damascus government is seeking to avoid military conflicts and is focusing on rebuilding its country after 14 years of civil war.
The conflict between the Syrian army and the Houthis, who are followers of a sect of Shia Islam, could bring about religious tensions that the Syrian leadership and its Western partners seek to avoid. This was the reason for rejecting a previous American request for assistance in fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Participation in the battle against the Houthis could also be perceived as a hostile act by Iran and its allies in Lebanon and Iraq; however, al-Shara'a is looking to demonstrate his country's support for Saudi Arabia and MbS. Saudi Arabia has also provided financial assistance to Syria, and showing Syria's support may lead to an increase in this aid.
A military expert in London, H.A. Hellyer, believes that "a new Syria that sends very few defense personnel to the holiest places in Islam, along with technical support to neutralize incoming drones, could be very symbolic and positive." However, he warned that anything beyond this, especially in terms of the presence of Syrian forces on the ground, could be a completely different proposition, and Damascus should avoid it, given the priorities it needs to focus on in Syria.
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