Saudi Arabia and Syria Sign Security Pact and Multi-Million Loan Deals
Saudi Arabia and Syria signed a security cooperation agreement and $403 million in development loans during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh, amid discussions on regional alliances.
Saudi Arabia and Syria signed a bilateral security cooperation agreement on Wednesday during Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Concurrently, the Syrian Ministry of Finance announced the signing of six development loan agreements on favorable terms exceeding $403 million. The Syrian Foreign Ministry highlighted the security pact as the most prominent among the signed agreements, though its specific terms were not made public.
Regional and international developments dominated the discussions between al-Sharaa and bin Salman. Last month, international news agencies reported that Syria is cautiously exploring potential military assistance to Saudi Arabia amid escalating clashes with the Houthis.
This marks al-Sharaa's second visit to Riyadh in less than a month, highlighting the severity of regional security challenges. Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani stated over the weekend at the Manama Security Conference in Bahrain that Damascus is evaluating potential accession to the Mecca Pact, a mutual defense alliance involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan.
Political analysts note that Syria seeks to leverage such alliances to protect its sovereignty and deter increasing foreign incursions. Saudi Arabia has emerged as a primary backer of the Syrian government following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, providing substantial financial aid and diplomatic support.
