29.10.2026 22:57
Egypt's House of Representatives authorized President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to support Saudi Arabia, which is targeted by Houthi attacks. With a decision taken by a two-thirds majority in a closed session, Sisi will be able to take defensive measures, including sending troops to Saudi Arabia if necessary. Sisi had stated that the support would be limited only to the defense of Saudi territory and would not include an attack on the Houthis.
At a time when Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia from Yemen are continuing, Egypt has paved the way for military support to Riyadh. The Houthis, however, had warned Cairo against intervention.
APPROVAL BY A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY IN A CLOSED SESSION
According to reports in the Egyptian press, the general assembly chaired by Parliament Speaker Hisham Badawi convened today (October 26) in a closed session. Parliament authorized Sisi, by a two-thirds majority of its members, to take the necessary measures to support Saudi Arabia and defend its territory.
With the decision, the way was also paved for sending Egyptian military forces to Saudi Arabia when necessary. It was stated that the measures would be implemented after coordination between the two countries. Article 152 of the Egyptian Constitution stipulates the opinion of the National Defense Council and the approval of a two-thirds majority of Parliament for sending the armed forces on a combat mission outside the country.
FOR DEFENSIVE PURPOSES ONLY
Egypt's National Defense Council announced on October 18 that it would provide Saudi Arabia with "all necessary and possible support." Sisi also said that Egypt would act only to defend Saudi Arabia and did not aim to attack anyone.
In a statement by the Egyptian Presidency on October 21, it was stated that the support would be limited to defending Saudi Arabia's territory and borders and would not include attacks against the Houthis. The vote in Parliament had been postponed to October 26.
WARNING FROM THE HOUTHIS TO EGYPT
Yahya al-Rai, Speaker of the Houthi-controlled Sana'a Parliament, sent a letter to Egyptian Parliament Speaker Badawi on October 17. Al-Rai warned that a possible Egyptian intervention would pose a "serious danger" to the country's national security.
HOUTHI ATTACKS ON SAUDI ARABIA
The Houthis have carried out attacks in recent weeks on airports, energy facilities, and the Ministry of Defense in Saudi Arabia. According to Al Jazeera, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been targeted at least 20 times. In an attack in Riyadh on October 10 that killed 13 people, an Egyptian flight attendant was also killed. Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia in statements it made.
EGYPT'S HISTORY IN YEMEN
Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition in 2015 but played a limited role in the conflict. Egypt is also among the founding members of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition established by Saudi Arabia in July, which protects maritime traffic in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revenue from the Suez Canal has decreased by about 11 billion dollars since the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea began.