Egypt prepares to authorize military support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced on Saturday that Egypt is prepared to provide military support to defend Saudi Arabia following a surge in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces. The Houthi rebels have recently targeted critical infrastructure, including Riyadh’s international airport and facilities belonging to the state oil giant Saudi Aramco, amid the collapse of a truce in Yemen. Sisi stated that Egypt remains committed to the security and stability of the kingdom and will act in coordination with Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who previously met with the Egyptian president on September 15.

To formalize this potential intervention, President Sisi requested an emergency session of the Egyptian parliament to secure the necessary authorization for military action. While an initial vote was anticipated on Sunday, lawmakers and media outlets reported that parliamentary discussions were extended into Monday. This move marks a significant regional development, as Egypt’s military involvement could escalate the ongoing conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis. The situation is increasingly viewed as a secondary front in the broader tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which have already disrupted global energy supplies and driven up oil prices since late February.