Syria, Saudi Arabia sign defense pact, $403M loans as ties deepen

Syria's President al-Sharaa signed a defense cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia during his second visit to Riyadh in under a month, alongside $403 million in loans. This marks a significant acceleration in bilateral normalization, signaling Saudi intent to anchor post-conflict Syria within its orbit and counter Iranian influence. The deal's scope and implementation timeline remain unclear, but the rapid pace of engagement suggests a strategic realignment.

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