Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi has said Egypt is ready to defend Saudi Arabia “if requested”, as fighting intensifies between the kingdom and Yemen’s Houthi militia.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian military academy on Saturday, Sisi said it was “inconceivable” for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was “harmed or its security and stability threatened”.
“Egypt, of course, with the directives of His Majesty King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will carry out any measure to protect you or defend you,” he said.
Sisi stressed that Egypt was “not looking for a role to play” in regional conflicts and that any deployment would require parliamentary approval.
He said he hoped lawmakers would convene an emergency session to grant authorisation “if it is requested of us”.
“I’m not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone,” he said. “We are speaking only about defence.”
Since Yemen’s war reignited in July, the Houthi militia has repeatedly attacked Saudi targets, including energy facilities and Riyadh’s international airport, where 13 people were killed in a single attack last week.
The Houthi militia has also blockaded the Bab al-Mandab Strait, adding pressure on energy exports as Iran maintains its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Red Sea shipping concerns
During a visit to Egypt last month, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sisi called for free and secure navigation in the Red Sea, a vital trade route.
The conflict threatens both Saudi Arabia’s security and energy exports and Egypt’s revenues from the Suez Canal, a key source of foreign currency.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that disruptions had cost the canal about $11 billion in revenue since the Houthi militia began attacking commercial vessels since 2023, when Israel began its war on Gaza.
Despite its longstanding military ties with Gulf states, Egypt has not joined the Mecca agreement, a mutual defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan in August.
