Saudi Arabia and Syria Sign Defense Pact and $403 Million Loan Deal

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Riyadh on November 4, 2026, where he and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a defense cooperation agreement and a series of economic deals. The defense pact, while not disclosed in full, comes as Saudi Arabia seeks support to counter missile and drone attacks from Iran-aligned Houthi forces. Additionally, Syria is evaluating entry into the Mecca alliance, a mutual defense pact involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.

As part of the economic cooperation, the Saudi Fund for Development signed six agreements providing over $403 million in concessional loans to Syria's Ministry of Finance. These funds are earmarked for critical infrastructure, including $105 million for civil defense centers, $100 million for healthcare, $90 million to rehabilitate the Aleppo Thermal Power Plant, $60 million for housing, and $30 million for smart water meters in Damascus and Idlib. An additional $18 million will support the digital transformation of the Syrian Ministry of Finance.

The two leaders also signed memorandums of understanding regarding agriculture, environmental protection, and industrial cooperation. This diplomatic surge follows the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad and includes Saudi Arabia's efforts to help Syria re-establish international ties and coordinate with Washington to lift economic sanctions. During the visit, both leaders called for regional de-escalation and an end to threats against maritime navigation in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb strait, and the Strait of Hormuz.