By Salma El-Sakka
Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a defence cooperation agreement and agreed on loans worth $403 million, marking a significant step in the restoration of ties between the two Arab nations.
The deal was announced as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement following the re-establishment of relations between Damascus and Riyadh after years of rupture during the Syrian conflict.
The defence cooperation framework aims to coordinate military and security efforts, while the financial package is expected to support Syria's reconstruction and economic recovery efforts.
Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2024 after a 12-year closure, and both countries have since exchanged high-level visits to deepen political, economic, and security coordination.
