Yemeni Officials Say Thousands of Syrian Troops to Join Saudi-Led Campaign Against Houthis

DAMASCUS / RIYADH (Terror Monitor) — Thousands of Syrian military personnel are expected to be deployed to Saudi Arabia and Yemen to support the Saudi-led coalition in its escalating conflict against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, according to multiple Yemeni military and government officials cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The reported deployment comes as Saudi Arabia seeks additional military assistance from regional allies following a renewed escalation of hostilities in Yemen and a series of Houthi attacks against Saudi territory.

According to AFP's report published on Saturday, November 7, hundreds of Syrian military personnel have already arrived in areas on both sides of the Saudi-Yemeni border, with additional forces expected to follow in the coming weeks.

Three separate Yemeni military sources and a defence official confirmed the reported presence of Syrian personnel, although Damascus has subsequently denied that it has deployed troops to Yemen.

A source within Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), the country's internationally recognised governing body, told AFP that Syria and Saudi Arabia had agreed to deploy approximately 3,000 Syrian troops to participate in operations against the Houthis.

The source said the arrangement had been approved during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's recent visit to Riyadh, where the two countries signed several cooperation agreements, including a defence cooperation deal.

A separate senior source within Yemen's Defence Ministry told AFP that the initial deployment would involve approximately 3,000 Syrian personnel, including military officers and specialists.

The same source said the overall number could eventually increase to more than 10,000 troops as additional contingents are deployed in subsequent phases.

According to one Yemeni military official, some Syrian personnel already stationed on the Yemeni side of the border are assisting with drone operations against Houthi positions.

Technical teams from the Syrian and Saudi defence ministries are also reportedly working in Riyadh to finalise arrangements for the participation of Syrian forces in operations against the Houthi movement.

However, neither the Saudi government nor the Syrian government has publicly confirmed the reported deployment of thousands of combat troops to Yemen.

Damascus Denies Deployment to Yemen

In a significant development, Syria's official state news agency SANA quoted a diplomatic source on Saturday as rejecting reports that Damascus had sent military forces to Yemen.

The Syrian diplomatic source described reports of a troop deployment to Yemen as unfounded, saying the country's current priorities remained focused on domestic security, border protection and reconstruction.

The denial followed a separate Reuters report published on Friday, November 6, which said Syria had sent a limited number of military personnel to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks to provide military advice and training.

Reuters, citing two Syrian military sources and a senior US official, reported that Syrian personnel were helping train Saudi and Yemeni military units inside Saudi Arabia to improve their operational capabilities.

The Syrian sources said scores of military personnel had travelled to Saudi Arabia, although their precise mandate remained unclear.

A senior Syrian diplomat told Reuters that the defence cooperation agreement signed with Saudi Arabia provided a framework for military training, advisory assistance and the exchange of military expertise.

The distinction between the two reports is significant: Reuters confirmed limited Syrian military assistance inside Saudi Arabia, while the alleged deployment of thousands of Syrian combat troops to Yemen remains disputed.

Saudi Arabia Seeks Broader Regional Military Support

The reported Syrian deployment comes amid efforts by Riyadh to strengthen its regional security partnerships and obtain additional military assistance against the Houthis.

On August 7, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement during a summit in Makkah attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries is to be considered an attack against all three, with provisions for strengthening military cooperation and collective deterrence.

Turkey's parliament subsequently ratified the agreement on November 6, according to the Associated Press. However, the agreement does not automatically authorise offensive military operations in Yemen. Turkey has ruled out sending troops to Yemen to fight the Houthis, while Pakistan has also not announced any direct participation in offensive operations against the group. AP News +2

Egypt Authorises Military Assistance to Saudi Arabia

Meanwhile, Egypt has taken a separate step towards supporting Saudi Arabia amid the escalating regional confrontation.

On October 26, the Egyptian parliament approved President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's request for authorisation to provide military assistance to Saudi Arabia if required.

According to Reuters, the parliamentary approval allows Sisi to take necessary measures to support the kingdom in defending its territory, sovereignty and holy sites against external aggression.

The decision followed a series of Houthi attacks against Saudi territory and growing concerns over the security of the kingdom.

However, Egyptian officials have emphasised that any military involvement would be defensive and would not include offensive operations against Yemen.

The parliamentary approval does not mean Egyptian troops have already been deployed. Any assistance would depend on coordination with Riyadh and a request from the Saudi government. Reuters +2

Renewed Fighting Raises Humanitarian Concerns

The reported military developments come as Yemen's conflict has entered another dangerous phase following the collapse of the relative calm that had prevailed in recent years.

The Houthis, who control the capital Sanaa and extensive territories in northern Yemen, have intensified their attacks against Saudi Arabia and expanded their control over strategic areas along Yemen's Red Sea coastline.

Saudi Arabia, which has supported Yemen's internationally recognised government, has responded by seeking greater military cooperation with regional partners.

According to figures cited by AFP from the United Nations, more than 1,600 people have been killed and over 300,000 displaced since fighting resumed earlier this year.

The renewed violence has also raised concerns about the security of vital shipping routes in the Red Sea and the wider regional consequences of the conflict.

Potential First Foreign Combat Deployment Since Renewed Fighting

If the claims by Yemeni officials are confirmed, the deployment of Syrian combat troops would represent a significant development in the conflict and mark the first reported arrival of a foreign ground force to participate directly in the renewed fighting since hostilities escalated this summer.

The reported arrangement would also represent a major shift in Syria's regional military relationships following the overthrow of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Under Assad, Damascus maintained close military and political relations with Tehran, while the new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has strengthened ties with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

For now, however, the reported deployment of 3,000 Syrian troops, with the possibility of increasing the number to more than 10,000, remains based on accounts from unnamed Yemeni officials cited by AFP and has been disputed by the Syrian government.