Egypt's parliament has authorised President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide military assistance to Saudi Arabia if requested, following a series of Houthi attacks on the kingdom and Red Sea shipping, the House of Representatives announced Monday.
The decision passed with the required two-thirds majority after three closed sessions, allowing el-Sisi to coordinate with Riyadh to protect Saudi territory, sovereignty and holy sites. The statement did not specify what assistance would be provided or announce troop deployments.
The vote came as Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman joined Pakistani and Turkish officials for talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran. The Saudi foreign ministry said the visit aimed to open channels for negotiations and prevent further military escalation.
El-Sisi said last week any Egyptian military role would be limited to defending Saudi borders, ruling out attacks on Yemen. However, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party instructed its MPs to abstain, warning against an open-ended commitment and urging room for diplomacy. The party said parliament had not received enough information about the mission's terms, duration, cost or risks.
On 17 October, Houthi parliament speaker Yahya al-Raei warned Egypt against involvement, saying it would endanger its own security. Fighting continues: the Houthis claimed on Monday to have attacked oil pumping stations and a Riyadh airport, while the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a missile and destroyed Houthi launchers in Yemen.
The attacks threaten shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key route to Egypt's Suez Canal. Egypt's main stock index closed 1.7% lower ahead of the vote. Cairo joined the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in 2015, mainly through naval operations.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Escalation risks drawing Egypt directly into the Yemen conflict, potentially destabilising a key regional power.
- Red Sea shipping lanes vital to global trade and Egypt's Suez Canal revenue remain under threat.
- The diplomatic push in Tehran may test whether Iran can influence Houthi attacks and prevent broader war.
Background
Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close allies; Saudi financial support has been critical to Egypt's struggling economy. Egypt contributed naval forces to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen from 2015. The Houthis, backed by Iran, have intensified attacks on Saudi targets and Red Sea shipping in recent weeks.
Key Perspectives
Egyptian parliament: Approved the president's request to provide military assistance to defend Saudi Arabia if asked, without specifying the form of help.
Egyptian Social Democratic Party: Abstained, arguing parliament lacked sufficient information on the mission's scope, duration, costs and risks, and urging diplomatic alternatives.
Houthi parliament speaker Yahya al-Raei: Warned on 17 October that Egyptian military involvement would endanger Egypt's own security and stability.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi: Said any Egyptian role would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders, not attacking Yemen.
What to Watch
- Whether Saudi Arabia formally requests Egyptian military assistance and what form it takes.
- The outcome of Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish talks in Tehran and any Iranian response to calls for de-escalation.
- Continued Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and shipping, and any coalition retaliation.