Egypt Saudi Defense Support Raises Stakes as Houthi Attacks Grow

Egypt & Saudi – (Special Correspondemt/Web Desk) – Egypt Saudi defense ties took a big step forward on Sunday. The Egyptian presidency said Cairo is ready to give Saudi Arabia the support it needs to protect its security and stability.

The statement could raise the stakes in the Middle East war. It comes as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis step up their attacks on the kingdom.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has asked parliament for an urgent session. He wants lawmakers to allow the army to help defend its Gulf ally if Riyadh asks for help.

A vote was expected on Sunday. However, two lawmakers and local media said talks would carry on into Monday.

The presidency said Egypt will offer all necessary and possible support. It said this covers Saudi security, resources, territory and Islamic holy sites.

The statement came after a meeting of the National Defence Council. Sisi led the meeting, and the parliament speaker, the prime minister and the army chief also attended.

On Saturday, Sisi said Egypt would follow the guidance of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders met Sisi on September 15, after fighting in Yemen flared up again.

The fighting is between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis. The coalition backs Yemen’s recognised government, while the Houthis hold the capital, Sanaa, and much of the north.

In recent weeks the clashes have grown fiercer. Many now see Yemen as one more front in the wider US-Israeli war on Iran, which began in late February.

In recent days the Houthis have hit Riyadh’s international airport and the state oil firm Saudi Aramco. Their gains also threaten the Bab el-Mandeb shipping route, a key path for oil, after a truce fell apart.

If Egypt joins in, it could become a target. The Houthis are a tough force of tens of thousands of fighters, and their missiles and drones put the whole region at risk.

Egypt has already felt some heat. A drone hit its Mediterranean port of Damietta in July. No group claimed it, and Cairo has not blamed anyone.

Even so, diplomacy has not stopped. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan by phone. He said they talked about regional events and the need to calm tensions.

The two countries are close partners. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states gave Egypt billions of dollars in aid, bank deposits and investments after Mohamed Morsi was removed in 2013.

Egypt also joined the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in 2015. Still, it played only a small combat role in that war.

Saudi Arabia is now looking for more allies. It first asked US President Donald Trump for help against the Houthis, but sources said he did not agree to US strikes. Washington offered intelligence sharing and help with targeting instead. Riyadh has also turned to Pakistan and other regional friends.

On Sunday, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman went to Abu Dhabi. He met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and they discussed regional security.

That visit followed a trip to Riyadh last month by UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It was the first visit by a senior UAE official since a deep rift opened between the two Gulf powers last year.

All eyes now turn to Egypt’s parliament. Its decision on Monday could shape the next phase of the war.