Egyptian lawmakers have authorised President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide defensive military assistance to Saudi Arabia if requested, amid escalating Houthi attacks and regional security concerns.
CAIRO, EGYPT — WEB DESK Egypt’s parliament has approved a mandate authorising President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to take necessary measures to support Saudi Arabia’s defence, amid escalating regional tensions and attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The Egyptian House of Representatives approved the measure on October 26, 2026, following closed-door deliberations held over three sessions. The decision received the support of at least two-thirds of lawmakers, granting the president authority to provide assistance in coordination with Saudi Arabia.
The authorisation is intended to help protect Saudi Arabia’s territory, sovereignty and Islamic holy sites against external aggression. However, it does not mean Egyptian troops will be deployed immediately. Any military assistance will depend on further decisions and coordination between Cairo and Riyadh.
President el-Sisi had sought parliamentary approval earlier in October to provide defensive assistance if Saudi Arabia requested support. Egyptian officials have stressed that any military involvement would focus on defending Saudi territory and borders rather than conducting attacks inside Yemen.
The parliamentary decision comes as Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and infrastructure have intensified. The developments have raised concerns about regional stability, energy supplies and maritime security, particularly around the Red Sea and the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The waterway connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a key passage for international shipping travelling towards the Suez Canal. Disruptions to maritime traffic have implications for Egypt, which relies heavily on Suez Canal revenue as a source of foreign currency.
The precise form of Egypt’s potential military assistance has not been fully disclosed. Reports have discussed possible defensive deployments, but the parliamentary authorisation itself does not confirm the number of personnel, equipment involved or timing of any deployment.
The decision also follows debate among Egyptian lawmakers over the risks and costs of deeper military involvement in the region. Some legislators expressed concerns about the mission’s scope and the possibility of further escalation, while the government has continued to emphasise defensive objectives and diplomatic efforts.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia maintain close political, security and economic ties. Cairo has also called for diplomatic efforts to contain regional tensions and prevent the conflict from spreading further.
The approval gives Egypt’s president the parliamentary authorisation needed to consider military assistance, but the extent of any eventual involvement remains uncertain.
