Egypt's Sisi asks parliament to authorise support for Saudi

Egypt's parliament will hold an emergency session on Sunday after President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi asked lawmakers to authorise support for Saudi defences against Houthi attacks if the kingdom requests it.

Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognised government in its civil war with the Iran-backed Houthis.

Egypt joined the Saudi-led intervention in 2015, although its role has largely focused on securing Red Sea shipping routes rather than frontline combat operations.

Since Yemen's war reignited in July, the Houthis have stepped up their attacks on Saudi targets, including energy facilities and Riyadh's international airport, where 13 people were killed in an attack last week.

The Houthis have also declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and seized territory around the Bab Al Mandab Strait, a strategic Red Sea chokepoint whose importance for Riyadh's oil exports has surged since Iran sought to choke off traffic through the Gulf's Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian military academy, Sisi said it was "inconceivable" for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was "harmed or its security and stability threatened".

"Egypt, of course, with the directives of His Majesty King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, will carry out any measure to protect you or defend you," he said.
Sisi said Cairo stood "with full force and support to protect and defend the lands of our brothers in the Gulf", before asking attendees to stand and give a military salute to Gulf states.

This photo taken from the Yemeni coast southwest of the city of Taiz, shows boats floating at Bab Al Mandab Strait, in the Red Sea. File/AFP

"I'm not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone," he added. "We are speaking only about defence."

Shortly after Sisi's remarks, state media reported that parliament would convene an emergency session on Sunday at the president's request, but gave no further details.

Saudi leader Mohammed Bin Salman paid Cairo a visit last month, during which Egypt reiterated its support for any measures taken by the kingdom to safeguard its security.

The two leaders also called for free and secure navigation in the Red Sea, a vital trade route and the gateway to the Suez Canal.

The conflict with the Houthis also poses risks to Egypt, where disruption to Red Sea shipping could further reduce revenues from the Suez, a key source of foreign currency.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that the canal lost about $11 billion in revenues since the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels in 2023 in what they said was solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.

Despite its longstanding military ties with Gulf states, Egypt has not joined the Makkah agreement, a mutual defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan in August, with Cairo generally favouring diplomacy over participation in regional military alliances.
Turkey said in August that the regional defence pact was open to additional members, including Egypt.

Cairo, however, said it was studying the agreement "in depth" and has yet to take a position on joining.

Agence France-Presse