Egypt authorizes defensive military support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

Egypt’s parliament voted on Monday, October 26, to authorize President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to take “all necessary measures” to support Saudi Arabia’s defense, according to the House statement published by [Ahram Online](https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/1/580951/Egypt/UPDATED-Egypt%E2%80%99s-parliament-authorizes-ElSisi-to-su.aspx). The measure passed by a two-thirds majority after closed sessions on October 18, 19 and 26. It empowers the president; it does not itself announce that Egyptian forces have deployed. The authorization came after el-Sissi asked lawmakers to approve defensive assistance if Riyadh sought Egypt’s help. The public statement says any measures would be coordinated with Saudi Arabia and protect its territory, sovereignty and holy sites from external aggression. It gives no unit, equipment or timetable. Reporting on possible implementation is not fully specific: Reuters quoted a senior legislator saying forces would be sent at Saudi Arabia’s request, while an unnamed regional official told the Associated Press that options could include air defenses and aircraft, but no Egyptian ground troops. No formal Saudi request or deployment date was announced in the parliamentary statement. Cairo has drawn a line around the mission. El-Sissi said on October 21 that Egypt would defend Saudi territory and borders, not launch attacks on Yemen. The vote followed Houthi claims of strikes on Riyadh airport and Saudi oil infrastructure; as [our earlier report explains](https://www.mushimu.com/post/9149), Saudi authorities confirmed an incoming missile was intercepted, while the claimed damage to the airport and pipeline remained unverified. The decision could bring Egypt more directly into a conflict that threatens Red Sea shipping. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is the southern gateway to the Suez Canal, a major trade route and an economic concern for Cairo. Egypt supported the Saudi-led Yemen campaign in 2015, mainly with naval forces, but today’s authorization does not specify whether any assistance will be requested or what form it would take. The next step depends on coordination between Cairo and Riyadh; the scale and timing remain unknown. ~World ~War