Syrian Military Deployment: Estimates Range From Advisers To 10,000 Troops
Conflicting reports detail the scope of Syrian forces sent to support Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, with numbers varying from dozens of advisers to a potential 3,000-strong contingent.
By Olga Menon ·
Reports emerging over the last two days suggest that Syria is deploying military personnel to Saudi Arabia, though figures regarding the scale of the mission vary widely among sources. Estimates range from dozens of advisers to as many as 10,000 troops. This divergence highlights the uncertainty surrounding the operational details of the new arrangement.
The movement of forces follows a defense cooperation agreement signed on November 4 during a visit by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Riyadh. He met with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to formalize the pact. The agreement covers military training, advisory support, and the exchange of expertise. It represents a shift from the non-alignment stance previously maintained by the new Syrian leadership.
Reuters reported in October that Damascus was considering military support for Riyadh as the Houthis intensified attacks. The Yemeni group, backed by Iran, captured areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September. Iran has prodded the Houthis to prepare for a new campaign since July, continuing a pattern of support dating back to the 2015 Houthi offensive in Yemen.
Syrian state media SANA stated on November 7 that military cooperation with Saudi Arabia focuses on training and advisory services. A diplomatic source told SANA that the current agreement prioritizes the exchange of expertise. This aligns with accounts from Syrian military sources who described the deployment as a limited number of personnel providing advice and training. They suggested their responsibilities could extend beyond those core activities.
AFP reported that hundreds of Syrian troops have already been deployed to both sides of the Saudi-Yemeni border. A source with the Yemen government’s Presidential Leadership Council told AFP that Syria would send as many as 3,000 troops to help fend off the Houthis. The agency noted that some troops already stationed on the Yemeni side of the border are leading drone operations against the Houthis.
Experts and analysts have questioned the higher figures. Levent Kemal, a conflict and security correspondent, noted on X that the sources cited to AFP may have exaggerated the numbers. He stated that the first team deployed between October 20 and 25 consisted of approximately 1,000 personnel, including drone operators and logistics staff. Charles Lister, director of the Syria program at the Middle East Institute, added that Syrian military personnel are providing advisory and logistics roles primarily in drones, transport, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. He emphasized that they are not combat troops.
The deployment occurs against a backdrop of shifting regional alliances. Aron Lund, an expert at the Swedish Defence Research Agency, noted that the reports follow the signing of the Syrian-Saudi defense memorandum and the Turkish parliament’s ratification of the Mecca Alliance. The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement is a partnership involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey. Syria is expected to move toward a mutual defense agreement or accession to this pact.
US Representative Joe Wilson expressed gratitude for what he described as Syria’s courageous leadership in providing military assistance. He stated that Syria has been freed from Iran and will soon help to free Yemen from Iran. The deployment marks a tangible step in the new Syrian government’s integration into regional security structures following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.
