Egypt has pledged to provide Saudi Arabia with necessary military and security support as Yemen’s Houthi movement escalates attacks on the kingdom, raising the prospect of a wider regional confrontation.
The Egyptian presidency said on Sunday that Cairo was prepared to assist Riyadh in protecting its national security, territorial integrity and strategic infrastructure following a series of Houthi strikes targeting Saudi facilities.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has requested an emergency parliamentary session to seek authorisation for potential military assistance to Saudi Arabia should the kingdom request Egyptian intervention.
Lawmakers had initially been expected to vote on the proposal on Sunday, but parliamentary discussions will continue on Monday, according to two legislators and local media reports.
The move follows a meeting of Egypt’s National Defence Council chaired by Sisi and attended by senior government and military officials, including the prime minister, parliamentary speaker and armed forces chief.
In a statement, the presidency said Egypt would provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and available support to safeguard its security, stability, resources and Islamic holy sites.
The announcement comes amid renewed hostilities in Yemen following the collapse of a truce between the Iran-aligned Houthis and forces supporting the internationally recognised Yemeni government.
In recent days, the Houthis have intensified strikes against Saudi targets, including Riyadh’s international airport and facilities belonging to state oil giant Saudi Aramco, heightening concerns over the security of regional energy infrastructure.
Speaking on Saturday, Sisi indicated that Egypt’s response would be coordinated with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who visited Egypt on September 15.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia maintain close military, political and economic relations. Riyadh and other Gulf states provided Cairo with billions of dollars in financial assistance, deposits and investments following the military’s removal of President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.
Egypt previously participated in the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the internationally recognised government against the Houthis, although its direct combat involvement remained limited.
The latest developments could mark a significant expansion of Egypt’s military role in the conflict if parliament authorises intervention and Saudi Arabia formally requests assistance.
No deployment of Egyptian forces has been announced.
