In Other News · United States

Source: Axios

Saudi Arabia and Syria are discussing sending Syrian troops to Yemen to join the counteroffensive against the Houthi rebels, three U.S. officials told Axios. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is seriously considering it, but hasn't decided. Why it matters: While the discussion is mostly between Saudi Arabia and Syria, the Trump administration has been consulted by both countries and is not opposed in principle to such a move, the U.S. officials said. But sending Syrian troops could inject a religious dimension into the Yemen war and exacerbate the conflict. The troops could include Islamist Sunni foreign fighters who participated in the rebellion against the Assad regime. They would be fighting against the Houthis, who follow Zaydi Shiite Islam.Driving the news: The Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia launched a massive ground operation over the weekend against the Houthis. The offensive was designed to retake territories the Houthis control, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait. A U.S. official said the issue of sending Syrian troops to Yemen came up during the meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and al-Sharaa in Riyadh earlier this week. The Saudis want al-Sharaa to send troops in order to...