Syria considers joining Saudi campaign against Houthi forces

Syria is considering providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia in its escalating conflict with Yemen’s Houthi movement, raising the prospect of a wider regional confrontation.

Reuters reported that a United States official and a Syrian defence official familiar with the discussions indicated that Damascus could deploy troops to support Saudi operations.

The development follows renewed attacks attributed to the Iran-aligned Houthis, including a claimed ballistic missile strike against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

The Houthis said on Thursday that they had targeted the airport, although the circumstances and consequences of the reported attack had not been independently established.

The possible involvement of Syrian forces would introduce another participant into an increasingly complex regional conflict, at a time when tensions involving Iran and the United States are already unsettling international markets.

The situation has particular significance for international shipping and energy supplies, with attacks in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz contributing to rising oil prices.

For import-dependent economies, including South Africa, any further disruption to Middle Eastern oil supplies could increase fuel costs and place additional pressure on inflation.