Security
Syria and Saudi Arabia sign defense cooperation agreement
Syria and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement between their defense ministries in Riyadh, according to the official Saudi news agency. The report did not disclose its terms. Development loan agreements were signed separately; the defense agreement does not establish completed entry into a defense alliance or an announcement of troop deployments. Syrian and Saudi foreign ministers, illustrative photo: Khaled DESOUKI / AFP via Getty Images.
· Source: N12. Syrian and Saudi foreign ministers, illustrative photo: Khaled DESOUKI / AFP via Getty Images.
The official Saudi news agency reported that an agreement between the defense ministries was signed in Riyadh on Wednesday during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit. According to N12, its terms were not disclosed.
The agreement was signed during al-Sharaa's visit to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. SPA said they discussed regional developments and the risks of escalation, calling for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Separately from the defense agreement, N12, citing Syria's Finance Ministry, reported the signing of six development loan agreements worth more than $403 million. That figure is not a disclosed value for the defense agreement.
The source also reported that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said his government was considering joining a defense alliance involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. Considering membership does not mean accession has been completed, and the Riyadh signing does not in itself indicate troop deployments.
Source: N12
