Egypt's parliament authorises military support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

Egypt's parliament on Monday, 27 October, empowered President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide military assistance for Saudi Arabia's defence if the kingdom asks for it. The move follows a wave of attacks by the Houthis, the Iran-backed movement in Yemen. It matters because Saudi Arabia is a major political ally and financial backer of Egypt, and the fighting threatens shipping near the Red Sea.

The House of Representatives said the decision passed with the required two-thirds majority. It lets el-Sisi, in coordination with Riyadh, take measures to protect Saudi territory, sovereignty and holy sites from external attacks. The statement did not specify what assistance would be given or say that troops were being sent.

Three closed sessions

El-Sisi first sought parliament's support on 17 October. MPs met behind closed doors on 18 and 19 October, then postponed the decision until Monday. Deputy Speaker Assem El-Gazzar said nearly 500 MPs had asked to speak. Most parties backed the request, but some lawmakers questioned the terms of a possible mission.

The Egyptian Social Democratic Party told its MPs to abstain. It said parliament lacked enough information on what troops would do, how long they would stay, what the operation would cost and what risks they would face. While backing Saudi security, the party warned against an open-ended commitment and urged room for diplomacy.

The National Defence Council, chaired by el-Sisi, endorsed support for Saudi Arabia on 18 October. Egypt's constitution also requires two-thirds of MPs to approve sending armed forces on combat missions abroad.

On 17 October, Yahya al-Raei, speaker of the Houthi-controlled parliament in Sanaa, warned Egypt against involvement, saying it would endanger Egypt's own security and stability. Last week el-Sisi said any Egyptian role would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders, ruling out attacks on Yemen.

Fighting continues as diplomats meet

Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman joined Pakistani and Turkish officials for talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran. The Saudi foreign ministry said the visit aimed to open channels for negotiations and prevent further escalation. Pakistan sent army chief Asim Munir and Turkey sent intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin; they met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The Houthis said they attacked pumping stations on Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia did not immediately confirm this. The Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen's internationally recognised government, said it intercepted a missile heading for Riyadh and destroyed Houthi launchers and storage sites in Yemen.

The fighting threatens shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern entrance to the Red Sea and part of the route to the Suez Canal. Egypt's main stock index closed 1.7% lower on Monday; on Sunday trading was halted for 30 minutes after the EGX100 index fell 10%.

Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in 2015, mainly through naval operations, with a limited combat role.