Syria and Saudi Arabia signed a defence cooperation agreement during President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh. Syria's Foreign Ministry announced the deal without disclosing its terms. The same visit brought Saudi development loans exceeding 403 million dollars for reconstruction and basic services, as the two governments discussed regional security and shipping.
Syria and Saudi Arabia signed a defence cooperation agreement during President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh on 4 November.[1], [2]
President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman witnessed the signing alongside other bilateral agreements. Syria's Foreign Ministry described cooperation between the defence ministries as a leading outcome of the visit. It did not disclose the agreement's terms or specific military commitments.[1]
The Saudi Fund for Development signed six concessional loan agreements with Syria's Finance Ministry exceeding 403 million dollars. The announced financing covers damaged health facilities, housing repairs, civil defence, the Aleppo thermal power plant and drinking-water systems in Damascus and Idlib. The governments also signed memorandums on industry, agriculture and environmental protection.[1]
The Syrian ministry said the leaders discussed military escalation, shipping security and reliable energy supplies. They called for an end to actions threatening navigation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz. Their previous Riyadh meeting on 6 October covered reconstruction and essential infrastructure. Saudi Arabia has backed Syria's government since Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in December 2024.[1]
