World

Egypt Prepares to Offer Defensive Aid to Saudi Arabia Amid Yemen Conflict

By Mariem Bah

Egypt’s parliament is set to convene on Sunday after President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi requested an emergency session to approve defensive military aid to Saudi Arabia if Riyadh asks for support in its war with Yemen’s Houthis. The request follows continued Iran‑backed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Riyadh, its airports and oil facilities. In a Saturday speech, el‑Sisi said Egypt would “carry out any measure to protect” Saudi Arabia and hoped parliament would authorize the move. On Sunday, Egypt announced it would provide “all necessary and possible support to Saudi Arabia to defend its safety and stability.” The National Defence Council, chaired by el‑Sisi, stated it “stands fully with” Saudi Arabia to defend its resources, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites.

El‑Sisi’s decision is driven by strategic, economic and security considerations. Saudi Arabia is a long‑time partner of Egypt, and the Houthi threat to the Bab al‑Mandeb strait endangers the Suez Canal, which Egypt’s foreign minister estimates has lost about $11 billion since attacks began in 2023. Millions of Egyptians work in Saudi Arabia, making the kingdom a major source of remittances. Analysts say Egypt does not want to be seen as an ally that “stood aside” while other countries, such as Turkey and Pakistan, pledged support under the Mecca defence pact.

Yemen hostilities are escalating. Saudi‑led coalition air raids hit Hodeidah on Sunday, and Saudi forces intercepted drones near Riyadh and the Eastern provinces. The capital’s King Khalid International Airport has been attacked at least 20 times since the conflict intensified. The Saudi‑backed forces are fighting the Houthis on multiple fronts, including Taiz and Marib.

The Egyptian parliament will meet at 1 p.m. local time (10 a.m. GMT). Under Egyptian law, the president cannot deploy forces abroad without parliamentary approval, and at least two‑thirds of the House of Representatives must vote in favor.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia have not signed a formal bilateral defence pact, but Cairo has cooperated with Riyadh in multilateral efforts. Egypt is a founding member of the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition, launched by Saudi Arabia in July to protect shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb. The coalition has conducted joint exercises with Saudi forces in 2024, and Egypt contributed naval and air assets to a 2015 coalition that secured maritime corridors against the Houthis.

El‑Sisi’s proposal would shift Egypt from a multilateral maritime framework to a bilateral military commitment. Analysts say the assistance would focus on defensive measures such as counter‑drone and anti‑missile support, air and missile defence around critical infrastructure, drone interception, naval escort and intelligence sharing. It is unlikely that Egypt would deploy troops to Yemen’s front lines, given the historical context of the 1960s Yemen Civil War when Egyptian forces suffered heavy casualties.

The decision, if approved, would represent a significant defensive stance by Egypt to support Saudi Arabia’s security amid the ongoing Yemen conflict.