ما حسابات دمشق في التعاون العسكري مع السعودية؟ | سوريا اليوم

Overview

The program examined reports that Damascus was considering sending troops to support Saudi Arabia against the Houthis in Yemen.

Syria’s Ministry of Information rejected reports by Reuters and Axios, saying the country’s regional policy prioritizes stability and cooperation, and that any military cooperation would proceed through official channels. Presidential media adviser Ahmad Muwaffaq Zaidan also called reports of a Saudi request to deploy Syrian forces baseless, while expressing support for Saudi security.

Reports and Context

The reports described different possible arrangements. Reuters cited officials who said Damascus was weighing a request, while Axios reported discussions about deploying 1,000–2,000 Syrian troops and said Washington had been informed. Neither the Syrian nor Saudi governments confirmed these accounts.

The discussion took place amid intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi targets and renewed fighting since the 2022 truce.

Guests’ Assessments

• Ahmed Tomeh argued that Syria would generally support Saudi security but is unlikely to send forces. Syria needs troops at home, faces security threats—including from Israel—and could risk Iranian retaliation. He said Damascus might politely decline even if asked, and disputed that joining the Makkah alliance or obtaining parliamentary approval would necessarily determine the decision.
• Radwan Ziadeh said that, if Syria received a formal request, any deployment should be conditional on a defensive framework, parliamentary consideration of war and peace, and clear economic benefits. He stressed the need for public support, a defined military mission and exit strategy, and clarity about the purpose and size of Syria’s expanding army.
• Mahmoud Alloush said a larger Saudi campaign to reshape the conflict in Yemen could create a need for ground troops, but that Syria should prioritize internal recovery. He described potential membership in the Makkah alliance as a possible source of security and political support for Syria, while noting that it would carry obligations and risks.
• Mubarak Al-Ati, joining from Riyadh, rejected the idea that Saudi Arabia had requested Syrian forces. He said the presidential visit to Riyadh had been scheduled for bilateral matters, and that Saudi Arabia had sufficient capabilities and Yemeni forces to conduct its campaign. He emphasized that the Makkah alliance’s role was defensive and that Syria should be supported in its recovery rather than asked to deploy troops.

Debate Over the Makkah Alliance

The guests disagreed about whether Syria should join the Makkah alliance. Some saw membership as a potential defensive advantage, while others questioned whether the alliance would want to take on the additional complications of Syria’s security concerns involving Israel.

A central concern throughout the discussion was that deploying forces abroad could distract Damascus from domestic security and reconstruction or expose the country to new risks.

Participants

• Presenter: Nour (surname not given in the subtitles)
• Contributors: Dr. Ahmed Tomeh, Dr. Radwan Ziadeh, Mahmoud Alloush, Mubarak Al-Ati