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

Egypt authorises military support for Saudi Arabia

On Monday, the Egyptian House of Representatives approved a measure that authorises President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi to take all necessary steps to support Saudi Arabia in defending itself against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The vote, held in a closed session, passed with a two‑thirds majority, according to an official parliamentary statement. The decision follows a request from President al‑Sisi last week, who asked parliament to approve military aid to the kingdom if Riyadh requested help. The decision follows an increase in Houthi attacks on Saudi land and their push toward the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait, a narrow channel connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and acting as a gateway to Egypt’s Suez Canal, according to reports. The exact nature of the support has not been disclosed. Parliamentary sources say the aid would be defensive in nature and would be coordinated with Saudi Arabia at the kingdom’s request. No formal request from Saudi Arabia for Egyptian troops has yet been announced.

Background

Egypt has a long history of involvement in the Yemen conflict. In 2015, the country joined the Saudi‑led coalition that has been fighting the Houthi movement. Egypt’s role in that coalition was largely naval, although the government also deployed around 800 ground troops, with limited combat engagement. The move could represent a change for Egypt, which has not undertaken a large‑scale overseas ground deployment since the 1991 Gulf War, according to analysts. The parliament, dominated by supporters of President al‑Sisi, held three secret meetings on the issue and postponed the vote twice before finally approving the measure. Opposition groups have largely opposed the decision. The Social Democratic Party, which holds 11 seats in the chamber, abstained from the vote, while the Civil Democratic Movement, a coalition of opposition parties, declined to back the measure.

Why it matters

The approval could bring Egypt directly into the broader regional conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran‑allied Houthi rebels. The Houthi advances threaten the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime corridor for global shipping and for Egypt’s own Suez Canal. By authorising military support, Egypt may be positioning itself to protect this vital trade route. The decision also signals a stronger alignment between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, two key Gulf allies. Egypt’s military is the largest in the Arab world, with hundreds of thousands of active personnel, fighter jets and advanced air‑defence systems sourced from the United States, China, France and Russia. The potential deployment of such forces could significantly alter the balance of power in the region.

What happens next

The parliamentary statement did not provide a timetable for any deployment. It simply authorised the president to take “all necessary measures” to support Saudi Arabia. No formal request from Saudi Arabia for Egyptian troops has been announced, and the exact form of the support remains unspecified. The decision was made in a closed session, and the vote tally was not published. The statement also noted that the support would be coordinated between the two countries and would be provided at Saudi Arabia’s request. Opposition groups have expressed concerns that the move could entangle Egypt in a costly conflict. The Civil Democratic Movement and other opposition parties have declined to back the measure, citing the lack of detail and the potential risks to Egyptian forces.

The next steps will depend on whether Saudi Arabia formally requests Egyptian assistance and on the specific nature of the support authorised by the parliament. The decision has already drawn attention from regional analysts who warn that any Egyptian involvement could heighten tensions and complicate efforts to resolve the Yemen conflict.