CAIRO, 19 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Egypt has pledged to provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary support to protect its security and stability as parliament considers authorising the military to assist the kingdom if requested, amid escalating regional tensions and intensified attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for an urgent parliamentary session to consider authorising the armed forces to help defend Egypt’s Gulf ally. A vote had been expected on Sunday, but discussions were set to continue on Monday, according to lawmakers and local media reports. The announcement followed a meeting of Egypt’s National Defence Council, chaired by Sisi and attended by the parliamentary speaker, prime minister and army chief. The presidency said Egypt was prepared to support Saudi Arabia in protecting its security, resources, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites. Sisi also said Egypt would act in accordance with guidance from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed regional developments and the need to reduce tensions with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a telephone conversation. The developments come as fighting between the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government and the Houthis, who control Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, has intensified in recent weeks.
The Houthis have reportedly targeted Riyadh’s international airport and Saudi state oil company Aramco amid renewed clashes with Saudi-backed forces. Their advances have also raised concerns over the security of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb shipping route, following the collapse of a truce. Any Egyptian military involvement could widen the regional conflict and expose Egypt to possible retaliatory attacks by the Houthis, whose missiles and drones pose a security threat across the region. Several Arab countries, particularly Gulf states hosting US military bases, have faced attacks by Iran and allied groups during the conflict. Egypt and Saudi Arabia maintain close strategic and economic ties, with Riyadh and other wealthy Gulf states having provided Cairo with substantial financial assistance and investments following the 2013 removal of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi. Egypt also joined the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015, although its direct combat role remained limited. Saudi Arabia has meanwhile sought assistance from regional partners, including Pakistan, after seeking US President Donald Trump’s support against the Houthis. According to sources cited by Reuters last month, Trump did not agree to US strikes, while Washington offered targeting assistance and intelligence-sharing instead. Separately, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday and met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss regional security, according to the Emirati state news agency. The meeting followed a visit to Riyadh last month by UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marking renewed high-level engagement between the two Gulf powers after a period of strained relations. Egypt’s parliamentary deliberations are being closely watched as regional governments weigh their responses to the expanding conflict and growing threats to regional security and energy supplies.