Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former leader of al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), signed a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia during a high-profile visit to Riyadh this week. The deal comes as both nations urge stability in the Red Sea region following months of Houthi attacks on shipping lanes.
Details Scarce on Defense Pact
While state media from both countries confirmed the defense ministry cooperation agreement, they conspicuously downplayed its significance amid a flurry of reconstruction-focused deals. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) buried mention of military cooperation at the end of a list highlighting Saudi investments in Syria’s shattered power grid, water systems, and housing.
The vague defense agreement follows reports that Syria is considering joining the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement – a security pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan that treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani recently called such participation “under negotiation” at a regional security forum.
Red Sea Security Takes Center Stage
President Sharaa and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the need to protect vital Middle Eastern waterways during their meetings, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Their joint statement called for “an immediate halt to all acts threatening” navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Hormuz Strait – both frequent targets of Houthi and Iranian disruption campaigns.
The Houthis, Iran’s Yemeni proxy, have repeatedly attacked commercial shipping in recent months, including vessels linked to Saudi oil exports. While Syria has condemned these strikes, it has ruled out direct military involvement against the Houthis.
Reconstruction Over Conflict?
The Riyadh summit’s primary focus appeared to be Saudi Arabia’s expanding role in rebuilding Syria after its devastating civil war. SANA highlighted plans to rehabilitate power stations, install 300,000 smart water meters, and repair hospitals and homes across the war-torn nation.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as Syria’s most vital international partner since the 2024 civil war ceasefire, helping remove U.S. terrorism sanctions and facilitating Sharaa’s 2025 meeting with then-President Donald Trump. The defense agreement, while light on specifics, signals deepening ties between the former jihadi leader and the Saudi monarchy as regional tensions simmer.
Source: www.breitbart.com โ https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2026/11/05/syrias-jihadi-president-signs-defense-deal-with-saudi-arabia-in-riyadh/