Syria’s military agreement with Saudi Arabia focuses on training and building military capabilities, a Syrian official has said, denying reports that Damascus was sending troops to Yemen.
“Reports about sending Syrian military forces to Yemen at this time are baseless,” an unnamed Syrian diplomatic source told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on Saturday, adding that Damascus’ priorities are strengthening domestic security, rebuilding the country and reviving its economy.
The source said Saudi coordination visits to Syria would begin in December, without specifying dates or participants.
Current military agreements with Riyadh cover training, exchanges of expertise and military advisory support, the source added.
The source gave no further details about the training agreement.
On November 4, Syria’s foreign ministry announced that the two countries’ defence ministries had signed a military cooperation agreement during Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa’s visit to Riyadh, where he met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Syrian source also told SANA that cooperation with Saudi Arabia “could eventually lead to a mutual defence agreement or to Syria joining the Mecca Defence Alliance, depending on shared interests.”
The Mecca Defence Alliance comprises Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
On October 5, the three countries held an emergency meeting in Riyadh to discuss threats facing the kingdom and announced the appointment of the alliance’s first secretary-general, according to a joint statement.
The remarks came after media reports said Syria had sent military personnel to Saudi Arabia to provide advice and training, including to Saudi and Yemeni units inside the kingdom.
