Cairo, Oct 26. (dpa/GNA) – Egyptâs parliament on Monday, authorized President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi to take necessary measures to support Saudi Arabia in defending its territory, according to Egyptian media reports.
The resolution was approved by a two-thirds majority during a plenary session, chaired by parliamentary speaker Hisham Badawi, following a request by al-Sissi for parliamentary authorization to take defensive measures in support of the kingdom, the state-aligned news website Youm7 reported.
Egyptian lawmaker Mostafa Bakri, said on X that the authorization empowered al-Sissi to send Egyptian troops to Saudi Arabia if necessary and in coordination with the kingdom. It remains unclear whether Riyadh will request the deployment of ground forces.
The authorization allows for possible action in coordination with Saudi Arabia, but no specific military deployment has been announced.
Saudi Arabia has come under increased attack from Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels in recent weeks, while also having felt the effects of the US-led war on Iran.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close allies, with Riyadh having provided Cairo with substantial financial support and investment. The two countries also share interests in regional security, including developments in Sudan and the Horn of Africa. Egypt is also concerned about the impact of renewed attacks by the Houthis on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the wider region.
Attacks on vessels in 2023 and 2024 diverted shipping away from the Suez Canal, sharply reducing traffic through a key source of revenue for Egypt.
GNA