Egypt pledges support for Saudi Arabia as parliament considers defence assistance
Egypt’s National Defence Council offered support amid Houthi attacks, but its statement did not mention troops. Any military assistance would depend on a Saudi request and Egypt’s parliamentary process.
Egypt’s National Defence Council pledged support for Saudi Arabia on Sunday, 18 October, as Houthi attacks raised the prospect of Egyptian defence assistance to the kingdom. The council, chaired by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, offered ‘all necessary and possible forms of support’ for Saudi security, according to The National and Al Jazeera. Its statement did not mention sending troops, The National reported.
The council linked Saudi Arabia’s security to Egypt’s and to wider Arab security. It said support would help protect the kingdom’s territory and Islamic holy sites, and called for stronger diplomatic efforts to calm the region amid what it described as escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia. Al Jazeera reported that the president’s office also pledged to intensify efforts to ease tensions.
What Egypt’s parliament was asked to consider
Parliament was due to meet on Sunday to consider authorising el-Sisi to approve defence assistance if Saudi Arabia requested it, The National and Al Jazeera reported. The National said the session was scheduled for hours after the council meeting. Neither the council pledge nor the planned vote established that Egyptian forces would be deployed; the outcome of the session was not established in those reports.
El-Sisi had set out that condition in a speech on Saturday. He said Egypt would act if Saudi leaders asked for help and described the possible action as defending the kingdom, rather than attacking anyone, according to The National. The distinction matters because the council’s promise covers support broadly, while a foreign military mission requires a separate parliamentary step, as Al Jazeera explained.
The warning from Yemen and Egypt’s existing ties
The National reported that Yahya Al Raei, speaker of the Houthi-run parliament in Sanaa, wrote to Egypt’s parliament speaker on Saturday warning against Cairo being drawn into the conflict. That parliament is not internationally recognised. The warning came before Sunday’s council statement and underscores the risk of a wider confrontation if Egypt’s offer turns into military assistance.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia have no formal bilateral or multilateral defence pact, Al Jazeera reported. Cairo has nonetheless cooperated with Riyadh on security: Egypt joined a Saudi-led maritime coalition launched in July to protect shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. Al Jazeera said the assistance el-Sisi proposed was distinct from that maritime role.
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Sources and context
- Egypt pledges support for Saudi Arabia as Houthis warn Cairo against military interventionThe National
- Egypt to provide ‘necessary’ support to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacksAl Jazeera
- What help can Egypt offer Saudi Arabia in the war against the Houthis?Al Jazeera
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.