Saudi Arabia and Syria have signed a cooperation agreement between their defense ministries, according to Saudi state news agency SPA. The agreement was finalized during a visit by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Riyadh, where he held discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This marks their second meeting in Saudi Arabia within a month.
The specific details of the defense cooperation agreement were not disclosed. However, reports from last month indicated that Syria was considering providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia amidst the ongoing conflict with Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group, which has intensified missile and drone attacks against the Kingdom.
A Syrian diplomat had previously stated that any military cooperation or exchange of expertise would be conducted exclusively through official channels and in accordance with existing bilateral agreements governing relations between the two nations. Saudi Arabia has been actively seeking defensive and offensive support from various international partners, including the United States, European countries, and other Middle Eastern nations, in its renewed engagement against the Houthis.
During President al-Sharaa's visit, several other agreements were also finalized. The Saudi Fund for Development signed six agreements with Syria's Ministry of Finance, committing over $403 million in concessional development loans aimed at supporting development and service sectors within Syria. This financial assistance underscores Saudi Arabia's role in Syria's reconstruction and its efforts to re-establish Damascus' ties with global powers.
