Syria is reviewing the Mecca Defense Agreement as Saudi Arabia seeks military muscle for the Yemen war. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani confirmed that Syria is considering joining the Mecca Agreement, established in August by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. Discussions are underway "to assess Syria's entry into the Makkah alliance," he said during a session on regional security at the Manama 2026 dialogue, according to SANA. Syria is an "integral" part of regional security, he noted, reaffirming support for the Yemeni-backed government. The Mecca Alliance commits members to protect each other from external aggression. Syria's entry may open the door to a direct role in Saudi Arabia's military campaign against the Houthi movement in Yemen. The discussions come amid reports of a deeper military partnership: Saudi Arabia has reportedly asked Syria to provide up to 20,000 troops for deployment to Yemen. The proposed Syrian delegation could include the 90th and 84th divisions, with the latest reports including foreign fighters who previously fought alongside al-Qaeda's al-Nusra branch - which has been rebranded as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Pakistan Already maintains a military presence in Saudi Arabia, while Turkey is reportedly considering a limited deployment for defense roles, the Trump administration and US Central Command (CENTCOM) have been consulted and are not opposed to the proposal in principle.

Syria is reviewing the Mecca Defense Agreement as Saudi Arabia seeks military muscle for the Yemen war. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani confirmed that Syria is considering joining the Mecca Agreement, established in August by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. Discussions are underway "to assess Syria's entry into the Makkah alliance," he said during a session on regional security at the Manama 2026 dialogue, according to SANA. Syria is an "integral" part of regional security, he noted, reaffirming support for the Yemeni-backed government. The Mecca Alliance commits members to protect each other from external aggression. Syria's entry may open the door to a direct role in Saudi Arabia's military campaign against the Houthi movement in Yemen. The discussions come amid reports of a deeper military partnership: Saudi Arabia has reportedly asked Syria to provide up to 20,000 troops for deployment to Yemen. The proposed Syrian delegation could include the 90th and 84th divisions, with the latest reports including foreign fighters who previously fought alongside al-Qaeda's al-Nusra branch - which has been rebranded as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Pakistan Already maintains a military presence in Saudi Arabia, while Turkey is reportedly considering a limited deployment for defense roles, the Trump administration and US Central Command (CENTCOM) have been consulted and are not opposed to the proposal in principle.