Egypt’s Sisi Seeks Parliament Backing to Defend Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Attacks

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that Egypt would take “any measures necessary” to defend Saudi Arabia if asked, amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom, and called on parliament to convene an emergency session to authorise military action if needed.

“It is inconceivable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or stability to be harmed,” Sisi said at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy. He added that Egypt was not seeking to attack anyone, but was prepared to act in defence.

FAKTA

• Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday, October 17, that Egypt stands ready to defend Saudi Arabia if Riyadh asks for help.
• Sisi asked Egypt’s parliament for advance authorisation for military action; an emergency plenary session is set for 1 p.m. local time on Sunday (1000 GMT).
• Yemen’s Houthis have in recent days attacked Riyadh’s international airport and Saudi Aramco facilities as fighting with Saudi-backed forces reignited after a truce collapsed.
• Egypt was part of the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 against the Houthis.

Sisi Saudi Arabia Defence Pledge Raises Stakes

The pledge marks Egypt’s strongest commitment yet in the escalating conflict. Sisi said Egypt would act in accordance with guidance from Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who visited Sisi on September 15, after fighting in Yemen reignited, to discuss security and navigation in the Red Sea.

Shortly after the president spoke, Egypt’s parliament announced it would hold a plenary session at 1 p.m. (1000 GMT) on Sunday in response to his request, though it did not disclose the agenda.

Background to the Escalation

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have in recent days attacked Riyadh’s international airport and the state oil giant Saudi Aramco, amid renewed fighting with the Saudi-backed forces of the internationally recognised government following the collapse of a truce.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close strategic and economic partners. Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Gulf states provided Egypt with billions of dollars in aid, central-bank deposits and investments after the military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in 2015 to support the Yemeni government against the Houthis.

Earlier this week, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Cairo was ready to support Saudi Arabia, including militarily if requested, and a foreign ministry spokesman called Gulf security a “red line”. Abdelatty also said Egypt is seriously considering joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed on August 7 by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, whose members agreed on October 5 to prepare the rapid deployment of forces to the kingdom.

Read more regional coverage at Watan News Middle East.

Source: Reuters + The Voice News Magazine