Egypt has told Saudi Arabia it is ready to provide the defensive support the kingdom needs, as the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia timeline of recent strikes on oil sites and Riyadh’s airport pushes Cairo toward a parliamentary decision on military help if Riyadh asks.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi requested an urgent session of parliament to authorise Egypt’s armed forces — one of the Arab world’s largest — to help defend Saudi Arabia if the kingdom seeks that backing. The Egyptian presidency said on Sunday that Egypt would offer “all necessary and possible forms of support” to protect Saudi security, stability, resources, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites. The statement followed a National Defence Council meeting chaired by Sisi and attended by the parliamentary speaker, the prime minister and the army chief.
Escalation in Yemen and the Red Sea
Since Yemen’s war reignited in July, the Houthis have stepped up strikes on Saudi targets, including energy facilities and Riyadh’s international airport. An attack on the airport last week killed 13 people. In recent days the group has again hit the airport and state oil company Saudi Aramco, amid renewed fighting with forces of the internationally recognised government after a truce collapsed.
The Houthis have also blockaded the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a chokepoint whose importance has grown after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, leaving Saudi Arabia more dependent on Red Sea routes to export oil. That shipping risk matters for Egypt too: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that the Suez Canal had lost about $11 billion in revenues since the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels after Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.
Egypt’s pledge and parliament’s role
Speaking on Saturday at a military academy graduation, Sisi said it was “inconceivable” for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was “harmed or its security and stability threatened.” He said Egypt would act with the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, adding that any deployment would need parliamentary approval “if it is requested of us.” He stressed the aim was defence: “I’m not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone… We are speaking only about defence.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited Sisi on 15 September after fighting in Yemen reignited; the two sides reiterated support for measures to safeguard Saudi security and called for free, secure Red Sea navigation. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close strategic and economic partners. Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, provided Egypt with billions of dollars in aid, deposits and investment after the 2013 ouster of Mohamed Morsi. Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in 2015 but played a limited combat role, focused more on Red Sea shipping security. Cairo has not joined the Mecca mutual defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan in August and has said it is still studying that agreement.
Two lawmakers said a vote expected on Sunday on authorising military support was due to continue on Monday.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2015: Egypt joins the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government against the Houthis, with a limited combat role.
- After 7 October 2023: Houthis begin attacking commercial vessels; Egypt later cites about $11 billion in lost Suez Canal revenue.
- July: Yemen’s war reignites; Houthi strikes on Saudi targets intensify.
- 15 September: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits Cairo; Egypt restates support for Saudi security measures.
- Last week: Attack on Riyadh’s international airport kills 13 people.
- Recent days–Sunday: Further strikes on the airport and Saudi Aramco; Sisi seeks parliamentary authorisation; the presidency pledges necessary defensive support.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Misr ne kaha hai ke Saudi Arab ki hifazat ke liye woh zaroori madad de sakta hai. Yemen ke Houthi groups ne Saudi targets, airport aur oil sites par hamle tez kiye hain. Misr ki parliament decide karegi ke fauji madad di jaye ya nahi, agar Saudi maange. Red Sea aur Suez Canal ki shipping disturb ho to oil aur trade dono taraf mushkil ho sakte hain.
