According to a U.S. official and a Syrian military official, Syria is cautiously
weighing military assistance to Saudi Arabia as Riyadh’s confrontation with the
Houthi movement escalates. Options under consideration include defensive arms,
help to counter missile and drone strikes, and the deployment of Syrian troops
to fight the Houthis alongside Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces; a U.S.
official said Saudi Arabia has requested Syrian troop participation. Syrian
president Ahmad Shara visited Riyadh on Tuesday and met Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman, where the reports say potential military aid was discussed. Damascus
says it firmly supports Saudi responses to Houthi attacks but that its immediate
priority remains domestic post-war reconstruction, and that any military
cooperation would proceed through official channels under bilateral agreements.
