Syria Sends 3,000 Troops to Aid Saudi Arabia Against Houthis

Syria is deploying military personnel to Saudi Arabia to support the kingdom in its conflict with the Iranian-backed Houthis. The scale of the deployment remains disputed, with estimates ranging from a small advisory team to thousands of combat troops.

Reuters reported on November 8 that two Syrian military sources and a senior US official confirmed Syria is providing military advice and training to Riyadh. A limited number of personnel have already arrived in the kingdom. The mission is framed as a defensive measure to protect Saudi territory.

Syrian media outlet Levant24 stated that dozens of military personnel traveled to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks. These individuals are providing advice and training, though their duties may expand. The operation relies on a defense cooperation agreement signed on November 4. That accord covers military training, advisory support, and the exchange of expertise.

The agreement was finalized during a visit by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Riyadh. He met with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman on that date. A Saudi source told Reuters that Riyadh is also assisting Syria in restructuring its armed forces.

AFP reported that thousands of Syrian troops are set for deployment to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, with some already on the ground. Yemeni officials claimed up to 3,000 troops would be sent, with potential totals reaching 10,000. One military official stated that troops stationed near the Yemeni border are leading drone operations against the Houthis.

Experts have questioned the size of the force. Levent Kemal, a conflict correspondent, suggested that sources cited by AFP may have exaggerated the numbers. He estimated the first team included approximately 1,000 personnel, comprising drone and logistics staff. Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute noted that Syrian Ministry of Defense personnel are primarily in advisory and logistics roles. He identified drones, transport, and intelligence as the key areas of focus.

Syrian state media SANA, quoted by Al-Arabiya on November 7, said the cooperation focuses on training and advisory services. A diplomatic source emphasized that the agreement prioritizes the exchange of expertise. Syrian officials described the initial deployment as small and narrowly focused, contradicting the larger figures from Yemeni and French reports.

Aron Lund of the Swedish Defence Research Agency observed that this development follows the signing of a Syrian-Saudi defense memorandum of understanding. It also follows the Turkish parliament's ratification of the Mecca Alliance, a partnership involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey.

US Representative Joe Wilson expressed gratitude for Syria's leadership in providing military assistance to Yemen and Saudi Arabia. He described the move as part of an effort to counter Iran and its proxies in the region.

The deployment marks a shift from Syria's previous non-alignment stance toward closer military cooperation with Saudi Arabia. Syria gained experience fighting Iranian-backed proxies, including Hezbollah, between 2012 and the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. The Houthis have prepared for a new campaign since July, following Iran's support for the group since the 2015 offensive in Yemen.