Egypt parliament vote backs military help for Saudi Arabia

The Egypt parliament vote on Monday gave President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi power to send military support to Saudi Arabia against the Houthis.

Lawmakers authorised Sisi to take “all necessary measures” to help the kingdom defend itself. That step may draw Cairo deeper into the fight between the kingdom and the Houthis, a movement from Yemen that Iran backs.

What the Egypt parliament vote approved

Backing came from at least two thirds of members, a parliament statement said. Lawmakers met in closed session, so the tally stayed unpublished.

Riyadh has made no formal request for Egyptian troops. The statement also left out what kind of support Egypt would send.

Taher al-Khouly, deputy head of the legislative committee, said Egypt would send forces in coordination with Riyadh, and only at Saudi request.

Sisi had asked parliament to approve help “if requested.” Lawmakers had delayed the vote last week, after three rare secret meetings and two postponements.

Sisi sets limits on the Egypt parliament vote

After the Egypt parliament vote, Sisi stressed that the support stays defensive. In a speech on Wednesday, he said it would cover the defence of Saudi land and borders, and it would not include an attack on Yemen.

On Saturday, he called it “inconceivable” for Cairo to stand by while Riyadh’s security is under threat. Meanwhile, the Senate speaker, Essam Farid, described Egypt’s position as “purely defensive.”

Last week, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty flew to Riyadh with intelligence chief Hassan Rashad. They carried a letter from Sisi for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Afterwards, Abdelatty said Cairo wants to seek “every opportunity” for a diplomatic solution. On Monday, he said he talks daily with the Iranians to push for calm.

Opposition and regional context

The Egypt parliament vote drew objections from several opposition groups. The Civil Democratic Movement, an opposition coalition, opposed any Egyptian role in a regional war. It said Cairo should concentrate on mediation.

The Egyptian Social Democratic Party, which holds 11 seats, abstained. It asked for clear goals and information about the mission’s aims, length and cost, although it still backs Saudi Arabia.

Egypt has not joined the mutual defence pact that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed in August. Earlier this month, pact ministers met urgently in Riyadh, where they agreed on a quick deployment of forces and capabilities in the kingdom.

Last week, Pakistan gave its approval to the deal, and Turkey’s parliament started the ratification process. Britain also announced Royal Air Force Typhoon jets for missions that protect Saudi cities and key infrastructure against Houthi air attacks.

Why Egypt has a stake

Riyadh is one of Cairo’s closest allies and gives it billions of dollars in aid, central bank deposits and energy supplies. Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Riyadh’s airport and Aramco, have disrupted flights and oil exports.

The Houthi threat also hits Egypt’s own income. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is the southern gateway to the Suez Canal. Disruption there hurts Egypt almost as much as it hurts Saudi Arabia. Canal revenue has not bounced back. Houthi attacks began in 2023. Money sent home by Egyptians working in Saudi Arabia reached $12 billion last fiscal year.

Egypt first joined the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in March 2015. Its role was mostly naval, yet about 800 ground troops also deployed, with only limited combat. Last week, Yahya Ali al-Rai, who speaks for Yemen’s Houthi-run House of Representatives, asked Cairo’s parliament to turn the proposal down. He warned that it would threaten Egypt’s own national security.

For now, the Egypt parliament vote opens the door to help for Riyadh, and the size of any deployment depends on a Saudi request.