Egypt Weighs Defensive Military Support for Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Conflict

Egypt's parliament convened on Sunday (local time) after President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called an emergency session to approve defensive military assistance for Saudi Arabia, should Riyadh request support in its war with the Houthi forces in Yemen.

Analysts say the move comes as the Iran-backed armed group continues to strike Saudi Arabia, including the capital Riyadh, airports and oil facilities.

On Saturday, President el-Sisi said Egypt would "take every measure to protect" Saudi Arabia, expressing hope that parliament would grant him the authority to take further steps. By Sunday, Egypt said it would provide "all necessary and possible support" to help Saudi Arabia safeguard its security and stability. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, chaired by el-Sisi, affirmed it stands "fully alongside" Saudi Arabia in protecting its resources, territorial integrity and the Islamic holy sites.

Economic and security drivers

Saudi Arabia has long been a strategic and economic partner of Egypt. In a statement in September, President el-Sisi stressed that Saudi security is "inseparable" from Egypt's own.

Gulf research expert Thomas Bonnie James told Al Jazeera that the Houthi threat to the kingdom is one of several "converging" pressures behind the decision, alongside economic factors.

"Houthi pressure at the Bab al-Mandeb strait threatens the Suez Canal, which Egypt's foreign minister said has lost about $11 billion since the attacks began in 2023," James said, referring to Houthi strikes on Israel-linked ships passing through the narrow strait, carried out in solidarity with Gaza.

James also argued the decision matters to Cairo because "millions of Egyptians live and work in Saudi Arabia, Egypt's largest source of remittances. One Egyptian citizen was killed and others wounded in attacks on Riyadh airport."

In addition, the expert said, Egypt does not want to be seen as a regional ally that "stands aside while others defend the kingdom," especially after Turkey and Pakistan made separate commitments under the Mecca Defense Pact activated in August as Middle East security conditions deteriorated.

Yemen situation escalates

The conflict in Yemen continues to intensify. On Sunday, the Saudi-led coalition carried out two airstrikes on Hodeidah in the southwest. Saudi forces also intercepted drones near Riyadh and eastern provinces. The capital's King Khalid International Airport has been attacked at least 20 times since fighting between the internationally recognized government and the Houthis (also known as Ansar Allah) flared up again.

Saudi-backed forces are battling the Houthis on multiple fronts, including Taiz and Marib. Some analysts say the Houthis are stretched thin after their summer advances, but according to James, "fully defeating this force is a very difficult task."

"Ground forces backed by air power can retake the coastline; but stopping missiles launched from mountainous areas is far harder," he said.

Egypt's parliament holds emergency session

Egypt's parliament convened at 1 pm on Sunday (10:00 GMT). Under Egyptian law, the president cannot declare war or deploy troops abroad without parliament's approval. To pass, the proposal needs at least two-thirds of lower-house lawmakers to vote in favor.

Egypt-Saudi security cooperation

The two countries have not signed a formal bilateral or multilateral defense cooperation treaty, but Cairo has a long history of cooperation with Riyadh. Egypt is a founding member of the multinational maritime defense coalition established by Saudi Arabia in July to protect shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. Egypt has also taken part in joint military exercises with Saudi Arabia in 2024 and was part of the 2015 coalition Riyadh assembled after the Houthis seized large parts of northern and western Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. At the time, Egypt contributed naval and air forces to protect maritime corridors in the Red Sea.

However, according to James, el-Sisi's proposal differs from the maritime defense coalition Egypt recently joined. "He hopes to be authorized to deploy Egyptian forces to help defend Saudi territory itself. This would move Egypt from a multilateral maritime framework to a bilateral military commitment," he said.

Nature of Egypt's support

President el-Sisi made clear he was proposing only "defensive" support and that it "is not meant for us to fight or attack anyone."

Defense analyst Alexandru Hudisteanu said Egypt would most likely provide counter-drone and missile defense support if parliament approves. "This would be the most urgent need right now to ensure Saudi Arabia's defensive capabilities are bolstered," he told Al Jazeera, adding that the request is also a strategic deterrent move.

"We know Saudi Arabia has one of the strongest militaries in terms of capability and equipment. The issue is the vast territory it must protect at any given time," Hudisteanu said.

According to James, any Egyptian contribution would focus on defending Saudi territory, using "air and missile defense around critical infrastructure, drone interception, naval escorts and intelligence sharing." He also said Egypt is unlikely to deploy soldiers to front lines in Yemen.

In the 1960s, President Gamal Abdel Nasser deployed tens of thousands of troops to Yemen during its civil war, while Saudi Arabia backed the opposition. Egypt suffered heavy losses and Saudi-Egyptian relations became strained. "What Egypt does not want is to send troops into Yemen. Nasser's intervention in the 1960s sent a clear message: defend the kingdom, don't take control of Yemen," James said.