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Syria on Wednesday denied claims that it was joining the war in Yemen, while voicing firm support for Saudi Arabia, after U.S. officials said Damascus was considering sending troops to help Saudi-backed Yemeni forces fight the Houthis.
"Syria's position is clear. We stand firmly alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in confronting threats targeting its security and stability," the Syrian Information Ministry's Foreign Media Directorate said.
"At the same time, Syria's policy in the region is based on stability, peace and cooperation, not on opening new fronts," the statement added.
Saudi Arabia is seeking military help from allies as Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi airstrikes, wage an offensive to retake Houthi-held territory, including the capital, Sanaa, and the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The directorate said Damascus' "absolute priority" was Syria itself, including rebuilding the country, strengthening state institutions and improving living conditions.
"Any military cooperation with partner countries will take place only through official channels and existing bilateral frameworks," it said.
A Syrian diplomat told Reuters that "should Saudi Arabia request any military cooperation or exchange of expertise, this would take place exclusively through official channels and within the framework of the bilateral agreements governing relations between our two brotherly countries."
Saudi Arabia and Syria are discussing sending Syrian troops to Yemen to join the counteroffensive against the Houthis, three U.S. officials told Axios.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is seriously considering it but has not decided, they said, though one official said it is highly likely he will accept the Saudi request.
A source with knowledge of the discussions told Axios that Syria could send 10,000 to 20,000 troops, with units from the 90th Division near Damascus and the 84th Division in southern Syria under consideration.
A U.S. official and a Syrian military official told Reuters that options include defensive aid to protect Saudi Arabia from attacks or deploying forces in an offensive role.
The U.S. official said Riyadh had requested that Syria deploy forces to fight the Houthis.
The issue came up when Sharaa met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday, according to U.S. officials. Syrian state media footage showed Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who oversees the Yemen file, escorting al-Sharaa back to his plane, Reuters reported.
The Trump administration is not opposed in principle to the move and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has been consulted on how Syrian troops could be deployed, U.S. officials told Axios.
Türkiye and Pakistan agreed Monday to rapidly deploy forces to Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement (MJDA), as Riyadh seeks broader support in the Yemen war.
Yemeni government forces have made limited advances since the offensive began Monday.
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