Syria dispatched scores of military advisers and training teams to Saudi Arabia to enhance the combat readiness of Saudi and Yemeni units countering Houthi operations. The deployment builds directly on a bilateral defense agreement concluded on Wednesday between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While Damascus has downplayed rumors of combat deployments, it confirmed the partnership centers on technical expertise, advice, and training. Furthermore, discussions are actively underway for Syria to accede to a multilateral defense pact established by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
Key points
Syrian operational assistance is strictly focused on training, advisory work, and experti…: Syrian operational assistance is strictly focused on training, advisory work, and expertise exchange rather than direct combat deployments.
Damascus is steadily expanding its regional defense integration alongside Riyadh and exis…: Damascus is steadily expanding its regional defense integration alongside Riyadh and existing allies such as Turkey.
The advisory mission directly targets improving local combat effectiveness against persis…: The advisory mission directly targets improving local combat effectiveness against persistent military strikes launched by Yemen's Houthis.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Syria has sent a limited number of military personnel to Saudi Arabia to provide advice and training as the kingdom comes under attack from Yemen’s Houthis, Reuters reported, citing two Syrian military sources and a senior US official.
The US official said Syrian advisers and training teams were travelling to Saudi Arabia to train Saudi and Yemeni units there and improve their combat effectiveness.
The Syrian sources, who have direct knowledge of the matter, also said scores of personnel had travelled to the kingdom in recent weeks.
A senior Syrian diplomat told Reuters that "any suggestion of military deployments at this stage is premature", and that Syria’s focus remained on internal security, border protection and reconstruction.
The diplomat added that a defence cooperation agreement the two countries signed on Wednesday "specifically includes advisory support, training and exchange of expertise".
The pact was signed in Riyadh during a visit by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, his second meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in less than a month. No details of the deal were released.
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