Egypt backs Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate

Egypt backs Saudi Arabia with “all necessary and possible forms of support,” its National Defence Council said on Sunday as Houthi attacks escalate. 

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi chaired the meeting at the presidential palace in Cairo. The council reviewed what it called dangerous regional developments.

It voiced full solidarity with Riyadh, citing historic ties, and tied Saudi security to Egyptian and wider Arab security.

Why Egypt backs Saudi Arabia

Egypt’s State Information Service said the council also resolved to push harder on politics and diplomacy. Working with regional and international parties, it wants to lower tension and settle crises peacefully.

The council said the support aims to protect Saudi security and stability, its resources and territorial integrity, and Islamic holy sites.

Attendees included the prime minister, the parliament speaker, the defence and foreign ministers, the army chief of staff and the intelligence chief.

Moreover, the decision followed a sharp rise in missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on Saudi airports and other sites.

Reports say a Houthi strike at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh left 13 dead and 309 hurt. Other reported targets included Khamis Mushait and oil facilities in Dammam.

Why Egypt backs Saudi Arabia in practice

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty set the tone earlier in the week. Speaking in Bangkok, he said Cairo would answer any Saudi request, including one for military help.

“Without any reservation, we provide all kinds of support,” he added. He said the Saudi government only had to ask.

Egypt is giving serious thought to joining the Makkah defense pact, Abdelatty said. Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed that deal in Mecca on August 7.

What the pact says

Under the pact, an armed attack on one member counts as an attack on all three. Ankara calls the pact defensive and says friendly nations may join.

On October 5, the alliance agreed to apply its collective defence terms at once and to prepare for rapid deployment of forces to the kingdom.

A week earlier, the four countries of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan put out a joint statement. It condemned the Houthi attacks and backed Riyadh’s measures to deter them.

Diplomacy with Iran

Abdelatty also phoned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and urged an immediate stop to attacks on Saudi territory. He called the strikes unjustified. In his words, attacks on civilians and breaches of Saudi sovereignty deserved condemnation. Also, Cairo compared notes with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan about security in the region. Cairo’s message to Iran is plain: Egypt backs Saudi Arabia, and attacks on its territory must stop.

In addition, he met the Saudi Fund for Development’s chief executive and talked with the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Sisi offered defense help to Riyadh if it asks, with parliament’s consent, according to reports.

In September, Cairo tied its own security to Riyadh’s, calling the two interconnected and inseparable. It warned then that Houthi attacks risked wider tension.

Meanwhile, Egypt backs Saudi Arabia in words and in planning, though it has sent no forces so far.