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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has been consulted on the logistics and methods of how Syrian troops could be deployed to Yemen, though the White House and CENTCOM declined to provide specific comments on the matter.

There is a concern that sending Syrian troops could inject a religious dimension into the conflict and exacerbate the situation. This is because the troops might include Islamist Sunni foreign fighters who would be fighting against the Houthis, who follow Zaydi Shiite Islam.

The Trump administration has been consulted by both Saudi Arabia and Syria and is not opposed in principle to the move. U.S. officials suggested that this deployment would provide more support for the Saudi-backed operation without requiring the U.S. to become deeply involved. Additionally, officials believe it would strengthen the relationship between two U.S. allies, Saudi Arabia and Syria.

The Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, launched a massive ground operation intended to retake territories currently controlled by the Houthis. The primary objectives of this offensive include retaking the capital city of Sanaa and securing the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

On a Thursday, Prince Khalid Bin Salman called Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to brief him on the planned operation and to request U.S. airstrikes against Houthi targets.

According to a U.S. official, CENTCOM saw launching strikes in Yemen as a distraction from its primary focus on Iran.

Last week, President Trump was close to ordering a strike on the Houthis following a request from MBS, but he ultimately decided to hold off.

The Houthis have taken over key areas of the southern Red Sea coast that control the strait and have increased missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, providing them and their Iranian backers with leverage over the U.S., Gulf allies, and the world economy.