Sisi Requests Direct Military Role for Egypt in Saudi Defense

Egypt's parliament granted President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi authority on Monday to deploy military assets to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks. This approval moves Cairo beyond its traditional stance of diplomatic condemnation and limited naval presence, positioning the nation to intervene directly in the escalating Gulf conflict.

The legislative body voted to authorize the military to act if Riyadh formally requests assistance. Al-Sisi had submitted this request to parliament last week. The move addresses the strategic threat posed by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, who have intensified strikes on the Gulf kingdom. These attacks also endanger the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical waterway for the Suez Canal and global trade.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and intelligence chief Hassan Rashad traveled to Riyadh on Wednesday to deliver a formal letter from Sisi to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The letter outlined that Egyptian support would focus on defending Saudi territory and borders rather than launching offensive operations in Yemen. Abdelatty stated after the visit that Cairo continues to explore diplomatic pathways while remaining prepared for military action.

Egypt maintains a complex relationship with the regional conflict. It joined the Saudi-led coalition in March 2015, contributing warships to secure Red Sea shipping lanes and deploying approximately 800 ground troops. Despite this participation, Cairo has avoided large-scale foreign ground deployments since the 1991 Gulf War. The country also remains outside the Mecca mutual defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey in August, though Abdelatty noted membership remains under serious consideration.

The financial and political ties between the two nations are substantial. Saudi Arabia provides Egypt with billions of dollars in aid, central bank deposits, and energy supplies. In exchange, Egypt offers military security in a region where Saudi Aramco and Riyadh's international airport have suffered recent Houthi strikes. These attacks have disrupted oil exports and flights, increasing pressure on Cairo to act.

The escalation in Yemen has become a volatile front in the wider conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. Aid agencies report worsening humanitarian conditions in Yemen, which is already facing one of the world's worst crises. The Saudi crown prince visited Cairo on September 15 to discuss Red Sea security after fighting reignited, setting the stage for the parliamentary vote this week.