Egypt’s parliament approves military support for Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks intensify

CAIRO: The Egyptian parliament on Monday authorised the armed forces to help defend Saudi Arabia. According to The Express Tribune, the decision comes as attacks on the Gulf kingdom by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have intensified, raising the possibility that Cairo may be drawn directly into the regional conflict.

According to a parliament statement, the authorisation, passed by a two-thirds majority, allows President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to take steps, in coordination with Saudi Arabia, to defend its territory, sovereignty and holy sites. The statement neither detailed the steps nor clearly announced any deployment of the Egyptian army.

Last week, President Sisi asked parliament to approve the defence of Riyadh if it sought help against the Houthis. The Houthi advance also threatens the Bab al-Mandab waterway, the route to the Suez Canal. The decision followed closed-door sessions on 18, 19 and 26 October. The third session was held on Monday under Speaker Hisham Badawi. According to parliament, the authorisation is in line with the decisions of the National Defence Council of 18 October.

Egypt has condemned attacks on Gulf states by Iran and its backed groups, but has not joined the fighting directly. It is also not part of the Mecca joint defence pact agreed in August between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said this month that joining the pact was being considered seriously.

In March 2015, in the early phase of the Yemen war, Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition mainly as a naval partner. It sent warships to protect shipping routes in the Red Sea and also deployed about 800 ground troops, but its combat role remained limited. It has not made any major overseas ground deployment since the 1991 Gulf war. Under Sisi, Saudi Arabia has provided Egypt with billions of dollars in aid, central bank deposits and energy.

According to The Nation, Iran had warned Egypt that countries joining the fighting in Yemen could spread the conflict beyond the region. The Houthis have targeted Riyadh’s international airport and Saudi Aramco, disrupting flights and oil exports. The Nation reported that more than a dozen people were killed and about 20 injured in the attacks.