Africaupdated 10m ago3 min read
Egypt’s Sisi Pledges All Necessary Support to Saudi Arabia Against Houthis Attacks
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Sisi asks parliament to authorize defense of Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks. Egyptian National Defence Council pledges full solidarity and all necessary support.
19 outlets told this the same way.
Egypt backs Saudi defense
Egypt’s National Defence Council, chaired by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, pledged that Egypt would provide “all necessary and possible support to Saudi Arabia to defend its safety and stability” as Yemen’s Houthis continued attacks on the kingdom. The council said Egypt “stands fully with” Saudi Arabia to defend its resources, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites, while Egypt’s presidency added Cairo would intensify diplomatic efforts for de-escalation. Egypt’s president said he would act in accordance with guidance from Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and he called for an emergency parliamentary session to authorize him to approve any requests from Saudi Arabia for defence assistance.
Egypt’s offer came as the Iran-backed Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, attacked Riyadh’s international airport and the state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco amid renewed fighting in Yemen after the collapse of a truce. Egypt’s presidency also linked the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states to Egypt’s national security, saying it was “an integral part of Egypt’s national security”.
Parliament weighs authorization
Egypt’s president urged lawmakers to authorize military assistance, and Egypt’s House of Representatives scheduled an emergency session on Sunday to consider granting him authority to take measures to militarily support Saudi Arabia if the Kingdom requests it.
Counselor Ahmed Manaa told the assembly in a letter seen by al-Shorouk that the general session would be held at 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 18, 2026 (Cairo time), in compliance with constitutional rules requiring approval by a two-thirds majority.
Sisi told the graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy that “I know this matter requires parliamentary approval, and I hope the Parliament will meet in an extraordinary session and grant us authorization if necessary.”
Major General Dr. Ahmed Farouk said the invitation to Parliament aligned with Egyptian policy principles treating the security of Gulf states, foremost among them Saudi Arabia, as an inalienable part of Egyptian national security.
Ambassador Moutaz Ahmedin said Egypt’s step reflected the Egyptian presidency’s keenness to respect Parliament’s role in decisions related to military moves, while he stressed Egypt’s support would be limited to defending the kingdom.
Defensive pledge, regional risk
Egypt’s National Defence Council said it would intensify political and diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing escalation and resolving crises by peaceful means, while it affirmed Egypt’s commitment to safeguarding Saudi lands and Islamic holy sites.
Egypt’s president said Egypt does not seek to wage war or attack any party, and he framed the move as defense and protection, calling all parties in the Gulf region to work to stop the ongoing war.
Al Jazeera Net’s Major General Dr. Ahmed Farouk ruled out the possibility of a direct confrontation between the Egyptian army and the Houthis or Iran in the near term, warning that ongoing clashes could deplete Saudi military capabilities and increase suffering in Yemen.
Ambassador Moutaz Ahmedin said Egypt’s role would be limited to defending the kingdom and would not extend to participating in military attacks against Iran or the Houthis, and he warned that continued clashes could lead to further regional instability and an increase in threats to Arab national security.
The New York Times reported that Egypt’s top security chiefs pledged to support Saudi Arabia as the kingdom faces increasingly deadly attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, raising the prospect of broader regional entanglement in the conflict.