Syria is considering military assistance to Saudi Arabia as the war with Yemen’s Houthi group escalates, with options ranging from defensive support for the kingdom to deploying Syrian troops alongside Saudi-backed Yemeni forces, according to a US official and a Syrian military official cited by Reuters on Wednesday, October 7.

The US official said Saudi Arabia had asked Syria to deploy troops to join the fight against the Houthis, while Damascus was considering what assistance it could offer Riyadh, according to the agency.

The options under consideration include defensive assistance to protect Saudi territory from attacks, or sending Syrian troops to take part in offensive operations alongside Saudi-backed Yemeni forces against the Houthis, Reuters reported.

A Cautious Syrian Position

Responding to questions from Reuters, a Syrian diplomat said Damascus stood with Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks. He clarified, however, that the Syrian government’s current priorities were domestic matters and recovery from the effects of the 14-year war.

The diplomat added that any Saudi request for military cooperation or an exchange of expertise would be handled “exclusively through official channels” and within the framework of bilateral agreements governing relations between the two countries.

Options Carrying Risks

Reuters pointed to potential risks associated with any deployment of Syrian troops abroad, as Damascus continues to rebuild the army and integrate the armed factions that helped overthrow the former regime into state institutions.

According to a US official cited by Reuters, Syrian army involvement against the Houthis could carry sensitive sectarian implications, while Syria’s leadership and its Western partners seek to avoid new internal divisions.

Any Syrian military intervention against the Iran-backed Houthis could also cause tensions with Iran and its regional allies, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and armed factions in Iraq.

Al-Sharaa’s Meeting with Mohammed bin Salman

The Reuters report follows Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to Riyadh, where he met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, October 6. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani accompanied him on the official visit.

According to a US official cited by Reuters, al-Sharaa discussed the possibility of Syria providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia during the visit, as fighting with Yemen’s Houthi group escalated. A Syrian military official told the agency that Damascus was considering options ranging from defensive support to sending troops to fight alongside Saudi-backed Yemeni forces.

The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said al-Sharaa and Mohammed bin Salman discussed relations between the two countries and ways to develop them. They also exchanged views on regional developments and several issues of mutual interest, with a view to supporting security and stability in the region.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Saudi officials attending the meeting included Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman; Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan; Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Adviser Musaed bin Mohammed al-Aiban; Secretary to the Crown Prince Bandar bin Obaid al-Rasheed; and Royal Court Adviser Khalid bin Farid Hadrawi.

The Syrian side was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani and Mohsen Mahbash, chargé d’affaires at the Syrian Embassy in Riyadh.

Footage broadcast by Syrian state media showed Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman accompanying al-Sharaa to his aircraft. Reuters described Khalid bin Salman as the Saudi official responsible for the Yemen file.

Repeated Meetings and Continued Engagement

Al-Sharaa and Mohammed bin Salman have met on several occasions in recent months, including in Riyadh on the sidelines of regional and international events.

Riyadh also hosted a meeting between al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump in May 2025, attended by the Saudi crown prince, as part of diplomatic efforts concerning sanctions on Syria and the future of its international relations.

In October of the same year, al-Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia to attend the Future Investment Initiative conference and met Mohammed bin Salman during the visit, as relations between Damascus and Riyadh expanded across political and economic issues.

Tuesday’s meeting came as the two countries continued to coordinate on regional developments. The Saudi statement focused on “prospects for bilateral relations,” “areas of cooperation,” and promising opportunities to develop cooperation across various fields, as well as developments in the region.

Neither side had announced any new agreements or specific decisions resulting from the meeting between al-Sharaa and Mohammed bin Salman by the time this article was published. Official announcements were limited to the topics discussed, including bilateral relations, cooperation between the two countries, and regional and international developments.

The meeting marked the latest stage in Syrian-Saudi rapprochement, which began with political engagement after the fall of the former regime and then expanded to economic, investment, and diplomatic matters. Damascus is seeking to strengthen its Arab and international relations and support the rebuilding of state institutions and the economy.