Syria in discussions to potentially send troops to Yemen against Houthis

<p>Saudi Arabia and Syria are in discussions regarding the potential deployment of Syrian troops to Yemen to assist in the counteroffensive against the Houthi rebels, according to three U.S. officials who spoke to Axios.</p><ul><li>Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is considering the proposal but has not made a final decision.</li></ul><p><strong>Context:</strong> The talks primarily involve Saudi Arabia and Syria, with the Trump administration being consulted by both nations and expressing no opposition to the idea, as stated by the U.S. officials.</p><hr /><ul><li>However, the deployment of Syrian troops could introduce a religious aspect to the Yemen conflict and potentially escalate tensions. The troops may include Islamist Sunni foreign fighters who previously participated in the rebellion against the Assad regime, and they would be opposing the Houthis, who adhere to Zaydi Shiite Islam.</li></ul><p><strong>Current developments:</strong> Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, initiated a significant ground operation over the weekend aimed at reclaiming territories controlled by the Houthis, including the capital Sanaa and the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait.</p><ul><li>A U.S. official indicated that the topic of sending Syrian troops was raised during a meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and al-Sharaa in Riyadh earlier this week.</li><li>Saudi Arabia seeks to bolster Yemeni forces, which are reportedly less trained than the Houthis, by having al-Sharaa send troops.</li><li>Although al-Sharaa has not yet approved the request, the U.S. official mentioned that it is highly probable he will agree to the Saudi proposal.</li></ul><p><strong>Background:</strong> The U.S. does not oppose the idea of Syrian troops being sent to Yemen, as it would enhance support for the Saudi-backed operation against the Houthis without requiring deeper U.S. involvement, according to a U.S. official.</p><ul><li>Officials from the Trump administration also believe that deploying Syrian troops to Yemen could strengthen the relationship between two U.S. allies, Saudi Arabia and Syria.</li><li>Two U.S. officials noted that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has been consulted regarding the potential deployment of Syrian troops.</li><li>Neither the White House nor CENTCOM provided comments, and representatives for the Saudi Embassy and Syrian Foreign Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.</li></ul><p><strong>Details on troop deployment:</strong> A source familiar with the discussions indicated that the Syrian military could potentially send between 10,000 to 20,000 troops to Yemen.</p><ul><li>The units being considered include the 90th division located near Damascus and the 84th division based in southern Syria near Sweida.</li><li>The 84th division comprises thousands of Islamist foreign fighters who arrived in Syria during the civil war to combat the Assad regime, operating under the HTS rebel group.</li></ul>