Egypt Parliament Authorizes Sisi to Back Saudi Arabia as Houthi Attacks Threaten Bab el-Mandeb
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Oct 26
Egypt Parliament Authorizes Sisi to Back Saudi Arabia as Houthi Attacks Threaten Bab el-Mandeb
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Oct 26
Summary
At least two-thirds of Egypt’s parliament authorized President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to take “all necessary measures” to help defend Saudi Arabia, though no formal Saudi troop request has been announced.
Sisi said any Egyptian role would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders, not attacking Yemen, as Houthi advances and strikes raise risks around the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
Taher al-Khouly, a senior lawmaker, said forces could be sent to Saudi Arabia in coordination with Riyadh, while opposition groups and some lawmakers objected or abstained over the mission’s aims, duration and cost.
Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition in 2015 mainly as a naval partner and deployed about 800 ground troops, but it has avoided a major combat role since a costly Yemen intervention in the 1960s.
The vote comes as Saudi Arabia seeks broader backing after recent Houthi attacks on airports and Aramco, with Britain offering air support and Mecca pact members discussing rapid force deployment while also pursuing de-escalation with Iran.