Syria weighs sending 10,000-20,000 troops to fight Houthis in Yemen, Axios reports
In short
Syria is considering sending troops to a Saudi-backed operation against Yemen's Houthi rebels after a request from Saudi Arabia, Axios reported on October 7, as cited by Korean outlets. A source told Axios that 10,000 to 20,000 troops could be deployed, and a US official said interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has not yet approved the move. The Trump administration is reported not to oppose the deployment in principle.
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Syria is considering sending troops to a Saudi-backed counteroffensive against Yemen's Houthi rebels, the US outlet Axios reported on October 7 local time, according to Yonhap and Hankook Ilbo. Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemen's government forces, asked Syria to send troops, and Syria is reviewing the request favourably, the reports said. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to a US official, the deployment was discussed earlier this week in Riyadh at a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The official said al-Sharaa had not yet approved the deployment but that Syria appeared likely to accept the Saudi request. A source familiar with the matter told Axios that Syria could send 10,000 to 20,000 troops, with the 90th Division near Damascus and the 84th Division near Sweida in southern Syria under consideration. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The Trump administration is reported not to oppose a Syrian deployment in principle. Saudi Arabia and Syria each sought US views in advance, and the US carried out an internal review, Yonhap reported. Yonhap said there appeared to be quiet approval in Washington because a deployment could reduce the burden of US military involvement while supporting Saudi operations against the Houthis, and could strengthen relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria, both friendly to the US. [ 2 , 3 ]
Axios noted that a deployment could bring a religious element into Yemen's civil war and deepen the conflict. The 84th Division includes thousands of foreign Sunni Islamist fighters who fought against the Bashar al-Assad government, while the Houthis follow the Zaidi branch of Shia Islam, raising concern about sectarian conflict. [ 2 , 3 ]
Fighting continued meanwhile. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a Telegram statement that the group had fired 11 ballistic missiles at 11 Saudi troop positions south of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the previous 24 hours, and claimed dozens were killed or wounded, including commanders. He also claimed a separate missile strike caused more than 30 casualties at a position of the 13th Brigade of the pro-government Giants Brigades. The Saudi-led coalition said it had destroyed a ballistic missile launcher in Sanaa that was used in a recent attack on Riyadh. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
A Syrian deployment would add a new foreign force to the war in Yemen and, according to Axios as cited by Yonhap, could ease the burden of US military involvement while strengthening Saudi-Syrian ties. Axios also noted that it could bring a religious dimension into the conflict, since one candidate division includes Sunni Islamist fighters and the Houthis follow the Zaidi branch of Shia Islam.
Key facts
- Saudi Arabia, which backs Yemen's government forces, asked Syria to send troops against the Houthi rebels, according to Axios. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The deployment was discussed at a meeting in Riyadh earlier this week between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a US official said. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Al-Sharaa has not yet approved the deployment, but Syria appears likely to accept the Saudi request, the US official said. [ 2 , 3 ]
- A source told Axios that Syria could send 10,000 to 20,000 troops to Yemen. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The units under consideration are the 90th Division near Damascus and the 84th Division near Sweida in southern Syria. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The Trump administration is reported not to oppose the deployment in principle; Saudi Arabia and Syria each sought US views beforehand. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group fired 11 ballistic missiles at 11 Saudi troop positions south of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in 24 hours. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Syria is considering sending troops to fight the Houthi rebels in Yemen at Saudi Arabia's request, according to Axios. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The force under consideration numbers 10,000 to 20,000 troops, drawn from the 90th and 84th Divisions. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Al-Sharaa has not yet given final approval. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The US administration does not oppose the deployment in principle. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether al-Sharaa will approve the deployment. A US official said Syria was likely to accept, but no decision has been made.
- Houthi claims of dozens of casualties, including commanders, from missile strikes on Saudi positions, and more than 30 casualties at a Giants Brigades position. These are claims by the Houthi spokesman and are not independently verified in the documents.
- The Saudi-led coalition's claim to have destroyed a ballistic missile launcher in Sanaa used in a recent attack on Riyadh. This is a coalition claim reported without independent confirmation.
- How strongly Washington supports the move. Yonhap says the US does not oppose it in principle and quietly welcomes it, while Hankook Ilbo's headline describes US support as 'in principle in favour'.