Syria is preparing to send fighters to Saudi Arabia, three officials tell AP
SANA says an unnamed diplomatic official in Syria dismisses reports of forces headed to Yemen and says the Saudi deal focuses on training.
Syria is preparing to send fighters to Saudi Arabia, according to three officials with knowledge of the plans who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press. The fighters would be stationed along the Saudi border and could potentially help Saudi Arabia against the Iran-backed rebels in neighboring Yemen. Syrian military advisers have already reached the kingdom, but a regional official and two Syrian officials say no fighters have been sent to Yemen.
A Syrian official said an initial force of about 600 special forces fighters is expected in Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Saturday that an unnamed diplomatic official dismissed reports that Syrian forces were headed to Yemen.
That official said the agreement with Saudi Arabia is about training its forces and building their capabilities. Fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen intensified in the summer, and the Houthis have also carried out deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia. The wider war involving Iran started in February with U.S. and Israeli attacks on it.
Two Syrian officials said Syria has decided to join the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, though this has not been announced. The regional official said talks continue. Syria and Saudi Arabia have announced a military cooperation agreement, without giving details.
- about 600Syrian special forces fighters in an initial force for Saudi Arabia, per a Syrian officialABC News
- 36Syrian military officials who visited a command room in Jeddah, per a second Syrian officialABC News
- more than $400 millionloan Saudi Arabia agreed to give Syria for postwar reconstructionABC News
Three sides of the story
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Liberal4 outlets
Syria's planned troop deployment and what officials say
ABC News runs the Associated Press report under the headline "Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates." The report opens with three officials saying Syria is getting ready to send fighters to the Saudi border, and they spoke anonymously. It says advisers are already in Saudi Arabia but no fighters have gone to Yemen.
A Syrian official puts the initial force at about 600 special forces fighters. A second Syrian official describes 36 military officials being briefed in Jeddah. The report notes Saudi officials "did not immediately respond" to requests for comment.
It also carries SANA's account of an unnamed diplomatic official who dismissed the idea of forces headed to Yemen. On the Mecca defense pact, two Syrian officials say the decision is made, while a regional official says talks continue. The report closes with the possible risk of attacks by Iraqi militias allied with the Houthis.
Center1 outlet
Syria's planned troop deployment and what officials say
The Seattle Times runs the same Associated Press report, with the headline "Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates." It opens with Syria preparing to send fighters to deploy along the Saudi border, citing three anonymous officials. Subheads such as "Syrian fighters set to deploy to Saudi-Yemen border" and "A change in Syria's stance on the regional war" divide the text.
A Syrian official puts the initial force at about 600 special forces fighters and says Saudi Arabia insisted they be Syrian nationals. A second Syrian official describes 36 Syrian military officials briefed in Jeddah. SANA's report of a diplomatic official dismissing the Yemen claim appears under a subhead on the Mecca pact, which two Syrian officials say Syria has decided to join and a regional official says is still under discussion.
The report notes Syria has turned down Trump's proposals for its forces to intervene against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- The Seattle Times: Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates
Conservative2 outlets
Syria readying fighters for Saudi Arabia, officials say
The Washington Times carries the AP headline "Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates." Its report says three officials with knowledge of the plans told AP that Syria is getting ready to send fighters into Saudi Arabia, to be stationed on the border and possibly to help against Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen.
- The Washington Times: Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates
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All sources: 8 articles from 7 outlets
Liberal (5)
- ABC News: Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates
- Al Jazeera English: Yemen government forces claim new advances as Houthi border attacks resume
- Al Jazeera English: Syria confirms sending troops to Saudi Arabia amid battle against Houthis
- The Independent: Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates
Center (1)
- The Seattle Times: Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates
Conservative (2)
- Breitbart News: Egypt Helps Saudi Arabia Defend ‘Sensitive Sites’ Against Houthi Attacks
- The Washington Times: Saudi Arabia turns to Syria for help as fighting with Houthis escalates
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