Saudi Arabia judges Syria on regional security role amid shipping crisis Saudi Arabia's crown prince met with Syria's president in Riyadh to discuss financial aid, security cooperation and regional security issues, including maritime access, energy and navigational safety. The two leaders "called for an immediate end to activities that threaten maritime security and shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Strait of Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz," and "emphasized the need to strengthen regional and international efforts to lower tensions, contain crises, prioritize dialogue and diplomacy," according to an official call cited by Arab News. MBS and Shaara called for "increased diplomatic efforts to prevent further military escalation, and warned that the renewal of hostilities may have serious consequences for regional security, international shipping, energy supply and the global economy." On Wednesdays the visit to Riyadh was the second Sharas within a month. In October, a trip that formally discussed strategic roadmaps and funding for the reconstruction of Syria also reportedly included behind-the-scenes negotiations over a potential deployment of Syrian forces to Yemen against the Houthis. At the time, Damascus denied reports that it might be planning a military deployment, but has since confirmed that it is considering joining the new Mecca agreement, the other members of which were asked to help Riyadh in its Yemen war. Saudi Arabia is interested in supplying ~20-30% of Syria's oil needs, but has had difficulty exporting its energy due to Iran's closure of Hormuz to the east, and the Houthis' closure of the Red Sea to Saudi shipping in the west after the escalation in July of a decade-long proxy war. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and the US have provided significant financial and arms support to rebel and jihadist forces in Syria in a dirty war against Assad that ultimately toppled his government in late 2024.

Saudi Arabia judges Syria on regional security role amid shipping crisis Saudi Arabia's crown prince met with Syria's president in Riyadh to discuss financial aid, security cooperation and regional security issues, including maritime access, energy and navigational safety. The two leaders "called for an immediate end to activities that threaten maritime security and shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Strait of Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz," and "emphasized the need to strengthen regional and international efforts to lower tensions, contain crises, prioritize dialogue and diplomacy," according to an official call cited by Arab News. MBS and Shaara called for "increased diplomatic efforts to prevent further military escalation, and warned that the renewal of hostilities may have serious consequences for regional security, international shipping, energy supply and the global economy." On Wednesdays the visit to Riyadh was the second Sharas within a month. In October, a trip that formally discussed strategic roadmaps and funding for the reconstruction of Syria also reportedly included behind-the-scenes negotiations over a potential deployment of Syrian forces to Yemen against the Houthis. At the time, Damascus denied reports that it might be planning a military deployment, but has since confirmed that it is considering joining the new Mecca agreement, the other members of which were asked to help Riyadh in its Yemen war. Saudi Arabia is interested in supplying ~20-30% of Syria's oil needs, but has had difficulty exporting its energy due to Iran's closure of Hormuz to the east, and the Houthis' closure of the Red Sea to Saudi shipping in the west after the escalation in July of a decade-long proxy war. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and the US have provided significant financial and arms support to rebel and jihadist forces in Syria in a dirty war against Assad that ultimately toppled his government in late 2024.