Syria is preparing to deploy fighters to Saudi Arabia to help secure its border and potentially support its fight against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen, according to three officials familiar with the plan.

Syrian military advisers have already arrived in Saudi Arabia, but no fighters have yet been sent to Yemen, a regional official and two Syrian officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly.

Saudi officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Fighting between Houthi rebels and forces backed by Saudi Arabia has intensified in Yemen since this summer. The Houthis have also carried out deadly attacks directly against Saudi Arabia, opening another front in a regional conflict that began in February when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran.

Syria, which has a large pool of battle-hardened fighters following years of civil war, has so far remained outside the conflict.

Although Saudi Arabia has US-supplied fighter jets and advanced missile defence systems, it has failed to defeat the Houthis in previous rounds of fighting.

While other Saudi allies have been hesitant to commit ground troops to the conflict, Syria's government has strong reasons to support Riyadh. Saudi Arabia funded Syrian rebel groups during the country's civil war and has pledged much-needed financial assistance for Syria's postwar reconstruction.

Syrian fighters expected to deploy near Saudi-Yemen border

A Syrian official said an initial contingent of around 600 special forces personnel was expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia within the coming week.

The official said a Syrian delegation led by Khaled Khattab, commander of the 82nd Division, had recently completed a two-week visit to Saudi Arabia.

Another Syrian official said 36 Syrian military officers had visited a joint command and operations room in Jeddah, where Saudi and Yemeni officials briefed them on various front lines and operational areas.

According to the regional official, Syria has already sent a small number of military advisers to Saudi Arabia to help train Yemeni forces stationed inside the kingdom.

Syria may join defence pact with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan

Meanwhile, a Syrian diplomatic official rejected reports that Syrian troops were preparing to enter Yemen, according to a report published by the state-run SANA news agency on Saturday.

The official said the agreement with Saudi Arabia was focused on training the kingdom's military personnel and strengthening its defence capabilities.

Syrian officials have publicly acknowledged discussions over the country's possible participation in a joint defence agreement recently signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.

Known as the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, the pact was signed in August and commits the three countries to treating an attack against any one of them as an attack against all, while expanding military cooperation.

Two Syrian officials said a decision had already been taken for Syria to join the agreement, although it had not been publicly announced. However, the regional official said negotiations were still underway.

One concern surrounding Syria's possible membership is that Damascus could seek military support from the other signatories against Israel, the regional official said.

Following the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israeli forces took control of a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria and have maintained their presence there.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has said his government does not want a confrontation with Israel and has called for Israeli forces to withdraw.

Last week, Syria and Saudi Arabia announced the signing of a military cooperation agreement without disclosing further details.

During al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh, the Saudi government also agreed to provide Syria with more than $400 million in loans for rebuilding homes and basic infrastructure damaged during the war.

Syria's possible role marks a shift in regional conflict stance

Syria has previously rejected proposals from US President Donald Trump to deploy its forces against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.

Al-Sharaa has repeatedly said his government's priority is rebuilding the country after its prolonged civil war and avoiding involvement in new regional conflicts.

However, Saudi Arabia has played a crucial role in helping Syria restore its ties with the wider Arab world, which had largely isolated the country during Assad's rule.

Any Syrian involvement in the conflict against the Houthis in Yemen could also expose the country to attacks by armed groups in neighbouring Iraq that are allied with the rebels.