Egypt moved on Sunday toward authorizing its military to defend Saudi Arabia against escalating Houthi attacks, with parliament called into an emergency session to vote on approving the deployment.
Egypt’s National Defence Council, chaired by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, pledged to provide Saudi Arabia with “all necessary and possible forms of support to defend its security and stability, protect its resources, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites,” the Egyptian presidency said in a statement on Sunday, according to Reuters.
The statement followed a council meeting attended by the parliamentary speaker, the prime minister and the army chief. Al-Sisi had on Saturday called on parliament to convene the emergency session to authorize the military to act “if we are asked to do so” by Riyadh, Reuters reported.
Parliament was due to hold the session at 1 p.m. local time (1000 GMT) on Sunday. The outcome of the vote had not been officially announced as of this report.
Speaking at a military academy graduation on Saturday, al-Sisi said any Egyptian action would be purely defensive.
“I am not speaking about attacking or waging war. We are seeking only to defend,” he said, adding that Egypt would act in line with guidance from Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who visited al-Sisi on September 15.
A defensive pledge, not yet a deployment
The Defence Council’s statement did not directly mention sending troops, The National reported. Lawmaker and television presenter Mostafa Bakry, described by the outlet as close to the authorities, wrote on social media that the council had approved sending forces to Saudi Arabia for a “defensive mission” — a claim the outlet did not confirm.
The council also decided to intensify political and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, the presidency statement said.
The move follows a pledge by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who told Bloomberg Television on October 13 that Cairo would provide “whatever is being asked by the Saudis” — including potential military assistance. “Without any reservation, we are providing all kind of support,” he said, adding that Egypt was seriously considering joining the Makkah Joint Defense Alliance.
Escalation behind the move
The Houthis have in recent days attacked Riyadh’s international airport and the state oil giant Saudi Aramco, Reuters reported, amid renewed fighting with the Saudi-backed forces of the internationally recognized government following the collapse of a truce.
Zark News reported on October 15 that the Houthis struck the Aramco headquarters in Dhahran and vowed more attacks on Saudi airports and oil sites.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close strategic and economic partners. Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Gulf states provided Egypt with billions of dollars in aid, central-bank deposits and investments after the military ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, Reuters reported.
Egypt previously joined the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government against the Houthis, but played a limited combat role.
Developing story: details, including the parliament vote outcome, are expected to be updated as they are confirmed.
Sources: Reuters; Al Jazeera; The National; The Defense News; Anadolu Agency.
