Egypt's Parliament Approves Military Support for Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Attacks

Egypt's parliament has approved President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's request to authorize military support for Saudi Arabia against escalating Houthi attacks, clearing the way for a possible deployment of Egyptian forces under a strictly defensive mandate.

The House of Representatives approved the measure on October 26, allowing Sisi to provide military assistance if Riyadh formally requests support.

The authorization limits Egyptian involvement to the protection of Saudi territory, borders, infrastructure and holy sites. It does not permit offensive military operations inside Yemen.

Sisi Rules Out Military Operations In Yemen

The Egyptian president has sought to distinguish the proposed mission from a broader intervention against the Houthis, insisting that Cairo would not participate in attacks on Yemeni territory.

"I'm not talking about confronting or attacking anyone. We're talking only about defence," Sisi said.

Under the approved framework, Egyptian forces could support Saudi defensive operations in coordination with the kingdom's leadership.

Any involvement would depend on a formal Saudi request, rather than an automatic deployment following the parliamentary vote.

The Egyptian government has also emphasized that the mission would focus on defending Saudi sovereignty, territorial integrity and critical resources.

Parliamentary Vote Clears Constitutional Requirement

The authorization follows earlier parliamentary sessions on October 18 and 19, when lawmakers postponed a decision to allow further debate over the proposed military role.

Under Article 152 of Egypt's constitution, sending armed forces on combat missions outside the country requires consultation with the National Defence Council and approval by a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

That threshold represents 398 of the legislature's 596 seats.

The National Defence Council, chaired by Sisi, had previously pledged to provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and possible assistance.

The council also linked the kingdom's security to Egypt's national security and wider Arab security interests.

The parliamentary approval removes a major domestic legal obstacle to Egyptian military involvement but does not itself confirm the dispatch of forces.

Houthi Attacks Intensify Against Saudi Arabia

The Egyptian decision comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen and an escalation in Houthi attacks against Saudi targets.

Recent strikes have targeted Saudi energy infrastructure and Riyadh's international airport, where an attack reportedly killed 13 people.

Saudi authorities have condemned the attacks and sought defensive assistance from regional partners.

The escalation has unfolded against a wider regional confrontation involving the U.S., Israel and Iran, raising concerns over further military involvement by neighboring states.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have warned Egypt against entering the conflict.

Air Defense And Naval Protection Among Options

Egyptian military assistance could include air and missile defense systems, drone interception capabilities, intelligence sharing and logistical support.

Naval operations to protect Saudi coastal areas and commercial shipping are also among the possible contributions.

However, the precise composition of any Egyptian deployment has not been publicly announced.

Sending ground forces into Yemen is considered unlikely under the restrictions outlined by Sisi.

Egypt previously played a limited combat role in the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen that began in 2015.

Red Sea Security And Deployment Concerns

The proposed military commitment has also raised questions over Egypt's exposure to the conflict, particularly around the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Cairo has an economic interest in maintaining maritime security along the route connecting the Red Sea with the Suez Canal.

Egyptian officials have called for a political settlement to the Yemen conflict and the withdrawal of Houthi forces from areas near Bab el-Mandeb.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and intelligence chief Hassan Rashad previously traveled to Riyadh carrying a message from Sisi outlining Egypt's position and the defensive limits of any assistance.

The proposal has nevertheless drawn concerns from some Egyptian lawmakers.

The Egyptian Social Democratic Party instructed its members to abstain from the parliamentary vote, citing insufficient information about the mission's objectives, duration, financial costs and risks to Egyptian personnel.

Questions have also been raised over the economic consequences of further regional escalation and potential disruption to Suez Canal traffic.

Deployment Depends On Saudi Request

Despite parliamentary approval, no formal Saudi request specifying the Egyptian military assets required has been publicly confirmed.

Further coordination between Cairo and Riyadh would be necessary before any deployment could proceed.

The decision gives Sisi legal authority to commit Egyptian forces to the defense of Saudi Arabia while maintaining a stated prohibition on offensive operations inside Yemen.

It also opens the possibility of a more direct Egyptian military role in the confrontation with the Houthis, although the scale and timing of any involvement remain undetermined.