Sisi: Egypt Will Take ‘Any Measure’ to Defend Saudi Arabia
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged on Saturday that Egypt was ready to help defend Saudi Arabia against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi forces if requested. The Egypt Saudi Arabia Houthis standoff marks a new turn in a conflict that has intensified since July, with Cairo now moving towards possible parliamentary authorisation for support.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy, Sisi said Egypt was “not looking for a role to play” in regional conflicts but that it was “inconceivable” to stand by while Saudi Arabia was harmed.
“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,” Sisi said.
Parliamentary approval for any deployment
He said any deployment would require parliamentary approval and expressed hope lawmakers would convene in an emergency session “if it is requested of us”. “We are speaking only about defence,” Sisi said, with state media reporting parliament would hold an emergency session on Sunday at his request.
Egypt joined the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen in 2015, though its role has largely focused on securing Red Sea shipping routes rather than frontline combat. The conflict also threatens Egypt’s economy: Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that the Suez Canal had lost about $11 billion in revenue since Houthi attacks on commercial vessels began in 2023.
Notably, Egypt has not joined the Makkah agreement, a mutual defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan in August, and has said it is studying the agreement.
Egypt Saudi Arabia Houthis: where Pakistan stands
For Pakistan, Cairo’s offer is a reminder of the kingdom’s widening circle of defence partners. Islamabad is already a signatory of the Makkah pact. The Foreign Office has clarified that alliance forces will not cross into Yemen to attack the Houthis, while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the pact does not bar direct Pakistani involvement. The DG ISPR has separately noted that Pakistani troops have served in the kingdom for decades.
Iran backs a political solution
Iran, meanwhile, backed a political solution and renewed its offer to mediate. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Baghdad that Tehran supported an “inclusive and comprehensive political process as the only practical and sustainable way to resolve the issue”.
“Either we build security together, or we will endure insecurity together,” Araghchi added. Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of encouraging the Houthi escalation, a charge Tehran denies. Tehran’s political-process push was covered in our earlier report.
Fighting continued on Saturday. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted four drones over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the south, with coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki saying they were “intercepted and destroyed”. The strikes have already disrupted air travel, with PIA suspending its Riyadh flights.
Houthi-affiliated media said Saudi air strikes beginning overnight killed at least 12 people in Yemen, including three children, in Taiz and Dhamar, and alleged the use of cluster bombs. The coalition did not immediately comment.
The renewed war has intensified since July, with Houthi attacks on Saudi energy facilities, vessels and Riyadh’s international airport, where 13 people were killed last week, alongside Houthi gains around the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Separately, the Houthis announced the release of 159 pro-government fighters under an amnesty, which the International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed.
*Source: Dawn*
What did Egypt’s president say about Saudi Arabia?
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt would take “any measure” to protect or defend Saudi Arabia if asked, speaking only of defence. He said any deployment would need parliament’s approval and hoped lawmakers would hold an emergency session.
Has Egypt joined the Makkah defence pact?
No. The Makkah agreement is a mutual defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan in August. Egypt has said it is studying the agreement.
What is Iran’s position on the Saudi-Houthi conflict?
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has backed an “inclusive and comprehensive political process” and renewed Tehran’s offer to mediate between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
