Saudi Arabia requested military personnel from Syria as part of its ongoing campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
Türkiye Today reported, citing Syrian sources, that Riyadh asked for an organized Syrian military force to be deployed in Yemen, but the Damascus government rejected the request.
The request was made several months ago
Saudi Arabia’s request was conveyed to the Syrian government several months ago.
A Syrian source said the matter was now closed and that Damascus had “politely” rejected the request.
The source said the Syrian government told Riyadh that it was focused at this stage on organizing and restructuring its own military and did not want to become a third party in a conflict in another country.
Damascus rejected the deployment of an organized force
The Syrian government did not authorize the deployment of an organized military unit, while it took a different approach to Syrians who might leave the country individually to participate in conflicts abroad.
The source said the Syrian government did not prevent individuals from leaving the country on their own, but Damascus would not be responsible for any activities they might undertake.
Türkiye responds to claim that “Syrian fighters are being sent to Yemen”
Türkiye Today also reported that Turkish sources rejected claims that Türkiye was involved in sending or organizing the deployment of Syrian fighters to Yemen.
Turkish sources said Türkiye was not involved in such an activity and that Syria and Saudi Arabia were sovereign countries.
Regional sources monitoring developments in Yemen also rejected claims that Türkiye had an organized program to transport Syrians to Yemen.
Saudi Arabia is considering options from different countries
Sources who spoke to Türkiye Today said Saudi Arabia was continuing to assess options for obtaining military personnel and trainers from different countries because of its military needs in Yemen.
The search emerged as tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia in Yemen rose again.
Pakistan is also under consideration
Sources said Pakistan was among the countries with which Saudi Arabia was holding talks on military personnel.
The spokesman for the Pakistani army also said in a statement on Sept. 18 that his country would make “every effort” to defend Saudi Arabia’s security.
Claims about Türkiye’s role rejected
Turkish and regional sources who spoke to Türkiye Today said claims that Syrian fighters had been sent to Yemen together with Turkish personnel were untrue.
According to the sources, any potential role for Türkiye and Pakistan is expected to focus on defensive duties, such as protecting energy infrastructure, strategic facilities and key centers, rather than direct ground operations.
