Syria Denies Deploying Troops to Yemen Despite Saudi Request
The Syrian government denied reports it is deploying troops to Yemen after President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss military aid.
The Government of Syria denied reports that it is deploying troops to Yemen to assist Saudi-backed forces against Houthi rebels. In a statement released via state-run Alikhbariah TV, the Syrian Information Ministry's Foreign Media Directorate clarified that the country's regional policy focuses on stability and peace rather than opening new military fronts, noting that internal reconstruction remains the absolute priority.
The denial follows a Tuesday meeting in Riyadh between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Reports indicate the Saudi leadership requested Syrian military assistance, which could have included defensive aid to protect the kingdom or offensive forces to support Yemeni troops. While a U.S. official confirmed the request for troop deployments, Syrian media adviser Ahmad Zaidan denied the claim.
The discussions occur as Houthi missile and drone attacks have killed three people at Saudi airports and threatened the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Houthi leader Sayed Abdel Malek Al Houthi criticized the potential deployment, characterizing Sharaa's forces as "Takfiri Jolani gangs." Syrian officials maintain that any military cooperation or exchange of expertise would take place exclusively through official bilateral channels.
