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Syria is weighing the possibility of deploying troops to Saudi Arabia in order to assist in the fight against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to reports from Reuters. The reports cite both a US official and a Syrian military official who are aware of the ongoing discussions. The Syrian government is exploring various options, ranging from providing defensive support and technical expertise to potentially dispatching Syrian soldiers to join Saudi-backed forces in Yemen.

No final decision has been made, and Damascus has not officially confirmed any plan to involve combat troops.

The US official stated that Saudi Arabia had approached Syria with the request, but the Syrian government has not publicly acknowledged agreeing to send troops to Yemen. A Syrian diplomat expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia against the Houthi attacks, emphasizing that Syria's primary focus remains its domestic recovery after years of conflict. Any military cooperation or exchange of expertise with Saudi Arabia will be conducted "exclusively through official channels" and under existing bilateral agreements.

This potential move by Syria comes as Saudi Arabia intensifies its military campaign against the Houthis following their escalation of attacks on Saudi territory. Relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia have strengthened significantly under the leadership of Syria's new President, Ahmed al-Sharaa. The two nations have recently signed a multibillion-dollar investment package encompassing aviation, energy, real estate, and telecommunications, signaling Riyadh's crucial role in Syria's economic recovery.

In October, Syrian President al-Sharaa met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, where they discussed bilateral relations, regional developments, and avenues for expanding cooperation between the two countries. This development suggests that Syria's potential involvement in the Saudi-led conflict against the Houthis would be a significant shift from its previous stance.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, are a significant threat to Saudi Arabia, while Saudi Arabia is currently leading a renewed assault against the group after months of missile and drone assaults on the kingdom.

For Saudi Arabia, involving Syria in the conflict could offer another Arab ally as the kingdom's forces strive to push back the Houthis. For al-Sharaa, however, sending Syrian troops could expose his still-developing military to a new conflict and potentially strain relations with Iran, Hezbollah, and Iranian-aligned Iraqi militias.