Shea Levin — text status

Saudi Arabia and Syria are discussing the deployment of up to 20,000 Syrian troops to Yemen to reinforce the Saudi-backed offensive against the Houthis, Axios reports. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is seriously considering the request, with U.S. officials expecting him to approve it. The Trump administration does not oppose the proposal, viewing it as a way to strengthen the offensive without significantly expanding direct U.S. involvement. CENTCOM has been consulted, while officials have raised concerns that some Syrian units include thousands of Islamist fighters, potentially adding a sectarian dimension to the war.