Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has asked parliament to authorise Egypt support Saudi Arabia’s defences against Yemen’s Houthis if Riyadh requests help. Lawmakers are expected to meet in an emergency session on Sunday to consider that authorisation.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian military academy, Sisi said it was “inconceivable” for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was “harmed or its security and stability threatened.” He told the kingdom that Egypt would, under the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, “carry out any measure to protect you or defend you.”
What Sisi asked parliament to approve
Sisi stressed that any deployment would need parliamentary approval and asked for an emergency sitting so lawmakers could grant authorisation “if it is requested of us.” He said he was “not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone,” and that Egypt was “speaking only about defence.”
Egyptian state media said the emergency session would be held on Sunday at 1:00 pm (1000 GMT). No further official details of the draft authorisation were immediately available.
Why Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea matter to Egypt
Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition that backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government against the Houthis. Egypt joined that Saudi-led intervention in 2015; its role has largely focused on securing Red Sea shipping rather than frontline combat.
Since Yemen’s war reignited in July, the Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi targets, including energy facilities and Riyadh’s international airport, where 13 people were killed in an attack last week. They have also blockaded the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a strategic maritime chokepoint. That route has grown more important after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, forcing Saudi Arabia to rely more on Red Sea paths to export oil.
Disruption in the Red Sea also hits Egypt. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that the Suez Canal—a major source of foreign currency—had lost about $11 billion in revenues since the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Ties with Riyadh, and the Mecca pact Egypt has not joined
The remarks come about a month after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Cairo, when Egypt again backed measures Riyadh takes to safeguard its security. The two leaders also called for free and secure navigation in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt are long-standing security partners, and El Sisi’s Saudi Arabia outreach fits that pattern. Cairo has still not joined the Mecca mutual defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan in August. Turkiye said then that the pact was not aimed at any specific country and remained open to others, including Egypt. Cairo said it was studying the agreement “in depth” and has not taken a position on joining.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- October 7, 2023: Hamas’s attack on Israel; Houthi strikes on commercial shipping later intensify, pressuring Red Sea and Suez Canal traffic.
- 2015: Egypt joins the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, chiefly to help secure Red Sea shipping.
- July (this year): Yemen’s war reignites; Houthi attacks on Saudi targets increase.
- August: Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan sign the Mecca mutual defence pact; Egypt says it is studying membership and has not joined.
- About one month ago: Mohammed bin Salman visits Cairo; both sides stress Red Sea security and Egypt’s support for Saudi steps to protect the kingdom.
- Last week: Attack on Riyadh’s international airport kills 13 people.
- This weekend: Sisi seeks parliamentary authorisation for defensive help if asked; emergency session set for Sunday, 1:00 pm Cairo time.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Misr ke President Sisi ne parliament se ijazat mangli hai ke agar Saudi Arabia maange to uski hifazat mein madad ki ja sake. Yeh madad sirf defence ke liye hai, kisi par hamla karne ke liye nahi. Sunday ko emergency session hogi. Red Sea aur Suez Canal Misr ki income ke liye bhi important hain, is liye yeh masla sirf Riyadh ka nahi.
