A U.S. report says Syria is considering deploying a large military force to Yemen to participate in a counteroffensive against the Houthi movement, amid escalating military tensions across the region.
According to a report published by Axios, citing officials, Damascus is considering sending between 10,000 and 20,000 Syrian troops to Yemen to reinforce Yemeni forces confronting the Houthis.
Syrian Units Considered for Deployment
The report said the units being considered for deployment include the 90th Division, based near Damascus, and the 84th Division, located in southern Syria near the Suwayda Governorate.
Officials said Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is seriously considering a Saudi request, but has not yet made a final decision on whether to deploy Syrian troops.
A U.S. official quoted in the report said al-Sharaa is highly likely to respond positively to the Saudi request, as Riyadh seeks Syrian military support to strengthen Yemeni forces fighting the Houthis.
Al-Sharaa and Mohammed bin Salman Hold Talks
The developments come as the Syrian president visited Saudi Arabia and met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh. The possibility of Syrian military assistance to Saudi Arabia was reportedly discussed amid the ongoing escalation in Yemen.
Earlier, Reuters cited a U.S. official and a Syrian military official as saying that Damascus was seriously considering providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia as clashes with the Houthis intensified.
According to the U.S. official, the potential deployment of Syrian forces to Yemen was among the issues discussed during the meeting between al-Sharaa and the Saudi crown prince.
Escalating Tensions in Yemen
The developments come as the region faces rapidly escalating military tensions, with fighting continuing in Yemen and attacks being exchanged between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces.
Any Syrian decision to deploy troops to Yemen would represent a significant military development, given the sensitivity of the Yemeni conflict and the involvement of multiple regional and international actors.
