Syria is preparing to send hundreds of fighters to Saudi Arabia, where they’ll be stationed along the border with Yemen and may assist in the fight against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, according to a report by the Associated Press. The move comes as violence escalates in the region and attacks on the Saudis intensify.
1+According to one Syrian source, an initial force of about 600 special forces fighters is expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia during the coming week. Meanwhile, a small number of Syrian military advisors have already been sent to the kingdom and have helped train Yemeni forces on Saudi soil, though Syrian fighters have not yet been sent to Yemen itself.
The report also said a Syrian military delegation recently completed a two-week visit to Saudi Arabia. At the same time, 36 Syrian officers arrived at a joint command and operations center in Jeddah, where Saudi and Yemeni officials operate, and received briefings on front lines and various areas of activity.
1+The move comes after fighting in Yemen intensified over the summer between the Houthis and government forces backed by Saudi Arabia. At the same time, the Houthis have stepped up direct attacks on the Saudis as part of the regional conflict that began in February following American and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Despite the reports, a Syrian diplomatic source denied that Syrian forces are about to be sent to Yemen. In remarks published by the state-run SANA news agency, the source clarified that cooperation with Saudi Arabia focuses on training its military forces and developing their capabilities.