More Countries are Joining the Fight Against Yemen’s Houthis. Syria Could Send Troops as Well.

Syria could become the latest country to provide material support to Yemen and Saudi Arabia in the fight against Houthis rebels, according to a new report.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is considering sending troops to Yemen, according to a new Axios report published on Thursday.

The outlet noted that discussions are largely taking place between Damascus and Riyadh, but the Trump administration has been consulted as well and doesn't oppose to the move in principle.

A U.S. official said Syrian troops could help out Yemeni counterparts, who are less trained than the Houthis. Between 10,000 and 20,000 could be involved in the operation, should it be confirmed.

Turkey and Pakistan are also providing support to Saudi Arabia and Yemen as a result of their recently-signed joint defense agreement with Riyadh, in which an attack against one of them is considered an attack against all.

Ankara is sending defensive and technical support. An official told Reuters that the country won't send troops and its aid will be in the form of equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems.

Pakistan, in turn, has sent about 8,000 troops and air force fighter jets to conduct strikes, according to another report. Troops, however, are unlikely to engage in any fighting and will be tasked with defending Saudi oil infrastructure.

The alliance between Yemen and Saudi Arabia recently claimed it retook territory seized a month ago along the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a key waterway through which 12% of the world's oil passes.

The Yemeni government declared a general mobilization in late September, with head of Yemen's presidential council Rashad al-Alimi calling on people to rally around the government. He also offered amnesty to Houthi fighters defecting.

He also said that operations won't focus on Houthi-controlled areas with large civilian populations, like Sanaa and Hodeida. Al-Alimi, however, urged residents to stay away from Houthi positions and refrain from having children recruited to fight on behalf of the group.

Clashes have also been reported elsewhere in Yemen, including the town of Dhubab, south of the port city of Mokha, which was also seized by the Houthis last month. According to the United Nations, about 1,000 people have been killed in the latest bout of fighting, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced.