Syria Considers Sending Troops to Aid Saudi Arabia Against Houthis

Syria is contemplating sending approximately 600 special forces personnel to Saudi Arabia to assist in its conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to an AP report. Syrian military advisors are reportedly already present in the Kingdom, but a final decision on deploying combat units has not yet been made. Damascus is also exploring joining the "Mecca" defense agreement, established in August between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. This pact mandates mutual military assistance and considers an attack on any member as a threat to the entire alliance. Sources indicate that Syrian leadership has agreed to join, though this has not been officially announced. The potential involvement of Syria in this military coalition has raised concerns in Israel, with one regional representative fearing Syria could gain allied support in a conflict with Israel. Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar'a, however, stated he is not interested in military confrontation and seeks the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Syrian territory. Nevertheless, joining the alliance could draw Damascus into new regional conflicts, which it has previously sought to avoid. This development follows a recent Houthi announcement of an attack on Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District, claiming to target Aramco facilities. Saudi Arabia's energy ministry confirmed debris fell on an administrative building, causing minor damage with no reported casualties.