Al-Sharaa in Riyadh: Syria and Saudi Arabia sign agreements and memoranda of understanding including defense cooperation

Syria and Saudi Arabia signed agreements and memoranda of understanding including military cooperation, during Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh and his talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with both emphasizing regional de-escalation and protecting maritime navigation.

Syria announced on Wednesday the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding with Saudi Arabia, including a cooperation agreement between the defense ministries, during Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's visit to Riyadh and his talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A statement from the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the talks covered bilateral relations and ways to develop them, and an exchange of views on regional and international situations. Both sides stressed the importance of regional de-escalation and prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy, and the need for an immediate halt to actions threatening maritime navigation in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Strait of Hormuz. They noted what they described as "great consensus" in visions and positions on issues of common interest.