Egypt Pledges Defensive Military Support to Saudi Arabia Amidst Houthi Escalation

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo on September 15, 2026. Egypt's parliament is set to convene for an emergency session on Sunday, following a request from President el-Sisi to approve defensive military aid for Saudi Arabia, should Riyadh seek support in its conflict with Yemen's Houthis. This move comes as the Iran-backed Houthi group continues its attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the capital, Riyadh, its airports, and oil facilities.

In a speech on Saturday, el-Sisi declared Egypt's commitment to "carry out any measure to protect" Saudi Arabia, while expressing his hope for parliamentary authorization. On Sunday, Egypt affirmed its intention to provide "all necessary and possible support to Saudi Arabia to defend its safety and stability." The National Defence Council, under President el-Sisi's chairmanship, declared its "full support" for Saudi Arabia in defending its resources, territorial integrity, and Islamic holy sites.

The decision stems from the long-standing strategic and economic partnership between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with el-Sisi stating last month that Saudi security is "integral" to Egypt's security. Political analyst Thomas Bonnie James noted that the Houthi threat to the kingdom is a key factor, alongside economic considerations. Houthi pressure on the Bab al-Mandeb strait impacts the Suez Canal, which Egypt's foreign minister indicated has suffered approximately $11 billion in losses since the attacks began in 2023. These attacks on ships linked to Israel, in solidarity with Gaza, have direct economic repercussions for Egypt.

Furthermore, James highlighted the presence of millions of Egyptians living and working in Saudi Arabia, a major source of remittances for Egypt. An Egyptian national was reportedly killed and others injured in the attacks on Riyadh's airport. Egypt also aims to avoid being perceived as a passive regional ally, especially as countries like Turkiye and Pakistan have made pledges following the activation of the Mecca defence pact signed in August amidst rising regional insecurity.

Meanwhile, hostilities in Yemen persist, with the Saudi-led coalition conducting air raids on Hodeidah and Saudi forces intercepting drones near Riyadh and the Eastern provinces. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been targeted numerous times. While Saudi-backed forces are engaged with the Houthis on multiple fronts, analysts suggest the Houthis may be overextended. However, James cautioned that outright defeat of the Houthis remains a significant challenge, particularly in countering missile launches from mountainous regions.

The Egyptian parliament's session is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. local time (10 a.m. GMT). Egyptian law requires presidential approval from parliament to declare war or deploy military forces on foreign missions, with a two-thirds majority needed in the House of Representatives.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia do not have a formal bilateral defence pact, but cooperation exists. Egypt is a founding member of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition, launched by Saudi Arabia to protect Red Sea shipping. Egypt also participated in joint military exercises with Saudi Arabia in 2024 and contributed naval and air forces to a 2015 coalition aimed at securing maritime corridors in the Red Sea. However, James clarified that el-Sisi's current proposal signifies a shift from a multilateral maritime framework to a potential bilateral military commitment focused on defending Saudi territory itself.

President el-Sisi emphasized that the proposed assistance is strictly "defence"-oriented, not for offensive operations. Military Defence Analyst Alexandru Hudisteanu suggested that counter-drone and anti-missile support would be a high-priority contribution, bolstering Saudi Arabia's defenses. He also views the request as a strategic deterrent, acknowledging Saudi Arabia's extensive military capabilities and the vast territory requiring protection. James anticipates that Egyptian involvement would concentrate on air and missile defense for critical infrastructure, drone interception, naval escort, and intelligence sharing, rather than deploying troops to Yemen's front lines, citing the historical precedent of Egypt's costly intervention in the 1960s Yemen Civil War.