Ahmad Mufaq Qaidan, the media advisor to the Syrian presidency, strongly rejected recent claims about Saudi Arabia's request to send Syrian forces to this country or Yemen in a statement released on Thursday. He stated: "What some media outlets are saying about the kingdom's request to send Syrian forces to Saudi Arabia or Yemen is a lie that has no basis in reality."
Syria's Official Position
Qaidan's remarks followed a statement from the official English-language account of the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which emphasized that Syria firmly supports Saudi Arabia. However, Syria's main priority has been identified as "rebuilding the country, strengthening institutions, and cooperating with its partners on developmental projects and improving the lives of Syrians."
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The statement also mentioned: "Any military cooperation with partner countries will only take place through official channels and existing bilateral frameworks." These positions do not seem to have quelled ongoing discussions about the possibility of Syria's participation in the fight against the Houthis.
Developments Following the Syrian President's Visit to Riyadh
Reports indicate that Ahmad al-Shara, the President of Syria, visited Riyadh, where he met with Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. This visit and meeting followed media scrutiny regarding the potential military assistance from Syria to Saudi Arabia, including the possibility of deploying Syrian forces in Yemen.
Additionally, other media outlets such as Axios and Reuters have cited anonymous Syrian and American officials discussing similar negotiations between Riyadh and Damascus regarding military cooperation. These reports emphasize that no decision has been made regarding the deployment of forces.
Given the current situation in the region and the multiple crises Syria is facing, any military cooperation with Saudi Arabia could have significant repercussions for Syria and its relations with other countries. It seems that Syria is trying to minimize any rumors about military involvement in Yemen by emphasizing its internal priorities.
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