{
  "id": 12833448,
  "title": "Syrian official denies Saudi Arabia asked Damascus to deploy troops in war with Houthis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/syrian-official-denies-saudi-arabia-asked-damascus-to-deploy-troops",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T09:26:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/10/08/syrian-official-denies-saudi-arabia-asked-damascus-to-deploy-troops-in-war-with-houthis/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Syrian official has firmly denied claims that Riyadh requested Damascus to send troops to assist the kingdom against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Ahmad Zaidan, media adviser to Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara, dismissed recent reports of plans to deploy Syrian forces in Saudi Arabia or Yemen as \"lies\". Mr Al Shara met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday, stating that the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf is interconnected with Syria's security. Zaidan's denial was echoed by Syrian Response, the official English-language account of Syria's Foreign Media Department on X, which emphasized Syria's commitment to stability and peace in the region and its focus on rebuilding the country and improving the lives of Syrians. The denial was also supported by Reuters, which reported that Syria was considering providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia, citing options such as defensive aid or deploying forces in an offensive capacity to aid Saudi-backed Yemeni troops against the Houthis. The Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian infrastructure have led to renewed discussions about the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between the kingdom, Pakistan, and Turkey, with Turkey and Pakistan agreeing to provide military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Syria strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian facilities and infrastructure, warning that such acts violate international law and pose a direct threat to the security of Saudi Arabia.",
  "summary": "A Syrian official has denied reports that Saudi Arabia asked Damascus to send troops to support the kingdom against the Houthis in Yemen. Ahmad Zaidan, media adviser to Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara, described reports in recent days of plans to send troops to Saudi Arabia or Yemen as “lies”. Mr Al Shara met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh during an official visit on Tuesday.…",
  "key_points": [
    "Syrian official Ahmad Zaidan denies Saudi Arabia asked for Syrian troops deployment.",
    "Syrian Response account emphasizes Syria's commitment to regional stability and peace.",
    "Syria considers providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia against Houthis."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Yemen's Houthis claim attack on Riyadh airport",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/yemens-houthis-claim-attack-on-riyadh-airport",
        "published": "2026-10-08T03:35:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Yemen's Houthis claim strike on Riyadh airport, three killed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/yemens-houthis-claim-strike-on-riyadh-airport-three-killed",
        "published": "2026-10-08T05:22:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "PAL cancels Riyadh flights as Houthis target Saudi airport",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/pal-cancels-riyadh-flights-as-houthis-target-saudi-airport",
        "published": "2026-10-08T06:29:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Houthis claim new strike on Saudi airport after 3 killed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/houthis-claim-new-strike-on-saudi-airport-after-3-killed",
        "published": "2026-10-08T07:18:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi Exports Authority delegation discusses cooperation with Syria",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/saudi-exports-authority-delegation-discusses-cooperation-with-syria",
        "published": "2026-10-08T08:21:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Syria weighs military aid for Saudi Arabia amid war with Houthis, sources say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/syria-weighs-military-aid-for-saudi-arabia-amid-war-with-houthis",
        "published": "2026-10-08T08:36:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Syrian official denies Saudi Arabia asked Damascus to deploy troops in war with Houthis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/syrian-official-denies-saudi-arabia-asked-damascus-to-deploy-troops-12837734",
        "published": "2026-10-08T09:26:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "India condemns attacks on two airports in Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/india-condemns-attacks-on-two-airports-in-saudi-arabia",
        "published": "2026-10-08T09:41:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}