Syria, Saudi Arabia sign defence cooperation deal, agree $403m in loans

Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a defence cooperation agreement and six concessional loan agreements worth more than $403m, as Damascus seeks support for reconstruction. The deal marks a further step in closer ties between the countries, though the defence agreement’s terms have not been disclosed.

The loans cover healthcare, housing, civil defence, power and drinking water, including $90m to rehabilitate Aleppo’s thermal power plant. The leaders also discussed regional security and called for de-escalation and the protection of shipping in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz. Syria is considering joining a mutual defence pact involving Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan.