Egypt military support for Saudi Arabia received parliamentary approval on October 26, 2026, as Houthi attacks on the kingdom disrupted flights and oil exports. The authorization allows Egypt’s armed forces to help defend its Gulf ally if Riyadh requests assistance.

Key Takeaways

  • President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt’s support would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders.
  • Houthi advances also threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a gateway to Egypt’s Suez Canal.
  • Egypt has not publicly joined the mutual defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey in August.

What Egypt military support would cover

Parliamentarians said lawmakers had authorized the military support after Sisi sought approval the previous week. The decision could draw Cairo directly into a regional conflict that has intensified as Yemen’s Iran-allied Houthis attack Saudi Arabia.

Sisi said Egypt’s role would be confined to defending Saudi territory and borders rather than attacking Yemen. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said after a visit to Riyadh that Cairo advocates exploring every opportunity to resolve the Yemen conflict diplomatically.

Oil exports and Red Sea shipping at risk

The Houthis have attacked Riyadh’s international airport and state oil company Saudi Aramco, disrupting flights and oil exports. Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest oil exporter.

Houthi advances also threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a gateway to the Suez Canal. The Saudi-led coalition backs Yemen’s internationally recognized government, while the Houthis control the capital, Sanaa. Aid agencies have warned that conditions in Yemen are worsening.

Egypt’s earlier role in Yemen

Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition in an earlier phase of Yemen’s war in March 2015, primarily as a naval partner. It sent warships to secure Red Sea shipping lanes, pledged air support and deployed around 800 ground troops, but played only a limited combat role.

Saudi Arabia is a major political and financial partner for Cairo, providing billions of dollars in aid, central bank deposits and energy supplies under Sisi. Egypt has not publicly joined the defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey in August; Abdelatty said this month that membership remained under serious consideration.

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