At the Manama Dialogue security meeting in Bahrain, Syrian Foreign Minister
Assad Shibani said discussions are underway to assess Syria joining the Mecca
alliance — the joint defense agreement Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed
in August. He said defending Gulf Arab states is vital to Syria’s security and
that Syria will stand with all Gulf states, adding they face threats from
cross‑border militia groups. Shibani gave no detail on whether support might
include sending troops to Yemen; Damascus has previously denied reports Riyadh
asked for Syrian deployments.
