Egypt Pledges Military Support to Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating Houthi Conflict
Egypt's National Defense Council agrees to assist Saudi Arabia as Houthi rebel attacks intensify, marking a significant shift in the ongoing regional war.
POLICY WIRE — Cairo, Egypt — Egypt’s primary security authority announced on Sunday that it has committed to providing military support to Saudi Arabia. This decision follows a major intensification of hostilities between the kingdom and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, representing a new front in the broader Iran war.
Saudi officials have been actively seeking military aid from regional partners as Houthi forces continue to target airports and critical oil infrastructure with sophisticated drones and missiles. These strikes have resulted in at least 19 deaths, disrupted thousands of flights, and caused significant instability in global markets.
The move comes just one month after a diplomatic visit by the Saudi crown prince to Cairo. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi chaired the National Defense Council, which formally authorized all possible forms of support to bolster Saudi security. Additionally, President el-Sissi has requested parliamentary approval to deploy military personnel and equipment beyond Egypt’s borders.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll continues to rise in Yemen. A recent airstrike in the rebel-held Saada province killed at least nine civilians, including five children and two women, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry. While the rebels attributed the attack to Saudi-led forces, the kingdom has not issued an immediate response.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation remain stalled. Houthi negotiator Mohamed Abdulsalam claimed that the rebels had previously agreed to a five-day truce proposed by Oman, provided that Saudi Arabia met specific humanitarian demands. However, he stated that the kingdom showed no willingness to engage, leading to the current surge in regional violence.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
