"Syria Also Considering Troop Dispatch"… Will US-Iran War Ignite 'Sectarian Conflict'?

[Anchor]

As clashes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels escalate, Syria has joined Pakistan and Turkey in considering a troop deployment. The war between the US and Iran is showing signs of spreading into a region-wide Islamic sectarian conflict, while President Trump has once again expressed his ambition for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Reporter Yu Deok-gi has the details.

[Reporter]

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels unleashed ballistic missiles yet again today (October 8) at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis had previously attacked King Khalid Airport and Abha International Airport in the southwest on October 6 and 7 as well, causing nearly 40 casualties.

The conflict has intensified further as the Saudi-led coalition and Yemeni government forces have launched more than 60 airstrikes a day targeting the Houthis.

Amidst this situation, reports have emerged that Syria is considering a plan to dispatch up to 20,000 troops to Yemen at the request of Saudi Arabia.

The Syrian interim government, which came to power after ousting the Assad dictatorship in December 2024, shares the same Sunni Islamic faith as Saudi Arabia. By aiding Saudi Arabia through troop deployment, Damascus reportedly calculates that it can secure financial support from Riyadh to rebuild its nation ravaged by a long civil war, while also gaining international recognition by contributing to stability in the Red Sea.

Turkey and Pakistan, which previously forged security alliances with Saudi Arabia and decided to deploy troops, are also Sunni Muslim nations. This means the war involving Iran, the US, and Israel could spread into a deep-rooted sectarian conflict between the Islamic Shia powerhouse Iran and its proxy forces like the Houthis, and the Sunni Muslim bloc consisting of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Syria, Pakistan, and the Yemeni government forces.

[Baek Seung-hun / Research Professor, Institute for Middle Eastern Studies, Myongji University : A Sunni-Shia confrontation structure is being formed (now). (However,) whether this confrontation structure will become entrenched and escalate is something we need to watch and wait a bit longer to see.]

Notably, it is reported that among the troops Syria is considering deploying are thousands of former members of Al-Qaeda and ISIS, who have committed acts of terror not only against the West and Israel but also against Shia Muslims.

Even as the sparks threaten to engulf the entire Middle East, US President Trump, who initiated the war, claimed that he deserves to win the Nobel Peace Prize for stopping Iran's nuclear weapons.

[Donald Trump / US President : Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. Nobody in the history of the Nobel Peace Prize has achieved (such a feat).]=

US Secretary of State Rubio also claimed that Iran has completely lost control over the Strait of Hormuz, but ships continued to be attacked on October 6 and 7 local time.

(Video Editing: Lee Seung-yul, Design: Kim Han-gil, Taeyoung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.