Yemenupdated 1h ago2 min read
GCC Secretary-General Jassim Al-Badioui Says Houthi Attacks Against Saudi Arabia Cannot Be Ignored
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Houthi attacks cannot be ignored; calls for a clear international stance. Saudi security is an integral part of GCC security.
6 outlets told this the same way.
GCC, Houthis, and Saudi security
Gulf Cooperation Council secretary-general Jassim Al-Badioui said the insistence of the Houthi movement on what it called committing crimes calls for a clear international stance, stressing that repeated attacks against GCC states cannot be ignored. Jassim Al-Badioui emphasized that the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the security of the GCC states, and he stressed the necessity of holding Iran to international law.
The GCC announced on October 15 the postponement of the Gulf-European Summit scheduled to be held in Riyadh on the 24th of the month, and Jassim Muhammad Al-Badioui attributed the decision to continuing attempts by the Houthis to target Saudi Arabia and its civilian assets. The Coalition to Support Legitimacy announced the death of two officers after a Saudi reconnaissance helicopter crashed in the Najran area due to a technical fault, while the Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi helicopter near the area during what they described as “hostile actions.”
Egypt seeks mandate for defense
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi told the House of Representatives that Egypt would take any action to protect and defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he said, “it is absolutely unacceptable that Saudi Arabia be harmed or its security or stability endangered..” The House of Representatives received a notification from the General Secretariat of the House, headed by Counselor Hisham Badawy, of a public session to be held at 1:00 PM today, Sunday, October 18, 2026, in accordance with internal rules and in light of the President’s request.
The People’s Assembly, chaired by Counselor Hisham Badawi, said it would hold an urgent plenary session to discuss measures necessary to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and defend its security and sovereignty if it requests Egypt’s support. The House of Representatives and the People’s Assembly both framed the authorization as defensive, with the presidential invitation stressing that Egypt’s action aims at defense and protection, not aggression against any party.
Constitutional controls and regional stakes
Article 152 of the Egyptian Constitution regulates the procedures related to declaring war and sending the armed forces on a combat mission outside the state's borders, requiring the opinion of the National Defense Council and the approval of the House of Representatives by a two-thirds majority of its members.
The House of Representatives session was expected to focus on measures that can be taken to support Saudi Arabia, the nature and limits of the required authorization, and the Egyptian stance regarding regional developments and their implications for Arab national security.
Mustafa al-Bahy said that the stability of the Gulf region holds particular importance for Arab economies given its links to energy, trade, and investment flows, and he warned that continued tensions pose additional challenges to the industrial sector.
Lieutenant General Dr. Osama al-Gamal said the armed forces are “an essential part of the national fabric,” while Dr. Hassan Salama highlighted the interconnection between Egyptian and Saudi security and the importance of coordination between Cairo and Riyadh.