Illustrative image.
Syria has rejected a formal request from Saudi Arabia to organize and send fighters to fight the Houthis in Yemen, according to an exclusive report by Türkiye Today published on September 18.
Syrian sources told Türkiye Today that the Saudi request was made several months ago and was politely declined. Damascus said it was focused on reorganizing its own armed forces and did not want to become a third party in the Yemen war.
“This issue has been exhausted and is over,” one Syrian source told the outlet, saying the government had no intention of organizing a Syrian force for deployment against the Houthis.
The source noted, however, that Damascus would not prevent individual Syrians from traveling abroad to participate in the fighting, but stressed that the Syrian government would not take responsibility for such involvement. The distinction suggests that any Syrians who independently join the conflict would not be part of an officially organized Syrian deployment.
The report also addressed claims that Türkiye had helped transport or organize Syrian fighters for Yemen. Turkish sources rejected those allegations, saying Ankara had no involvement in such a deployment. Regional sources likewise denied reports that Syrian fighters had reached Yemen as part of teams operating alongside Turkish personnel, despite recent reports suggesting that this has already happened.
The disclosure comes as Saudi Arabia searches for foreign military personnel and instructors to address its growing security needs.
Türkiye Today reported that Riyadh has been examining personnel from several countries, with recruitment efforts in Pakistan gaining traction, while unconfirmed reports point to continued interest in North African countries including Egypt and Libya.
The search is unfolding against the backdrop of a major escalation in Yemen. The Houthis have seized the Red Sea port of Mokha and Mayyun Island near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while fighting has spread across several fronts.
Reuters reported on September 18 that more than 115,000 people had been displaced by the renewed fighting, which has intensified after a period of relative calm following the 2022 truce.
For Saudi Arabia, the deterioration has also raised questions about how much support it can obtain from partners under the newly established Mecca defense agreement with Türkiye and Pakistan.
According to Türkiye Today, any Turkish or Pakistani military involvement would initially be expected to focus on defensive missions, including protecting energy infrastructure, strategic facilities and major population centers, rather than sending ground forces into Yemen.
Pakistan has separately been discussed as a possible source of military support. An earlier report by the outlet said that Islamabad was considering possible action against the Houthis at Riyadh’s request under the new defense pact, although it noted that no final decision had been made.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has also said the agreement could be activated if Saudi Arabia comes under attack.
The Syrian refusal therefore leaves Saudi Arabia looking elsewhere as it attempts to reinforce its position without relying solely on its own forces.
For Damascus, the decision reflects a stated preference to concentrate on rebuilding and organizing its military at home rather than joining another regional war. This could, however, cause a deterioration in relations with Saudi Arabia, which has so far provided the new government in Syria with much support.
Notably, the Syrian government’s rejection has not ruled out the possibility of individual Syrians entering the conflict. But even with no organized Syrian deployment backed by Damascus, Syria could face serious consequences as the Houthis and their allies already have means to strike deep in the country.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
