Syria's Shara, MBS discuss regional security

Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh during an official visit on Tuesday, Saudi and Syrian state media reported.

Mr Al Shara was accompanied by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani and was first received by the Governor of the Riyadh region, Prince Faisal bin Bandar, Syria's Sana news agency reported.

The visit comes as hostilities between the kingdom and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis escalate, with Saudi Arabia announcing that airports in Jizan and Najran had been attacked, injuring three people and causing limited damage.

The attacks came as Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces pressed a major offensive to retake territory from the Houthis after weeks of rebel advances, with the kingdom increasing strikes in support of the campaign.

The Houthis have responded with missile and drone attacks on targets in Saudi Arabia, including airports, oil facilities and military sites.

Mr Al Shara and Prince Mohammed discussed the "latest regional developments and a number of issues of common concern, aiming to support security and stability in the region", Sana said.