Egypt Grants Sisi Power to Send Troops to Saudi Arabia

Egypt’s parliament authorizes President Sisi to send troops to Saudi Arabia to defend against Houthi attacks.

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Egypt’s parliament has granted President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi the authority to send troops to Saudi Arabia to defend against attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, according to Reuters. The decision, passed in a closed session, allows Sisi to take “all necessary measures” in support of the Gulf kingdom, though no formal request from Riyadh has been made.

Authorization Without Formal Request

The parliamentary vote, which required at least two-thirds of the 596-seat House, was passed without a public tally. Deputy head of parliament’s legislative committee, Taher al-Khouly, stated that Egypt would only send forces in coordination with Saudi Arabia at its request. Sisi’s letter to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized that Egyptian help would focus on protecting Saudi territory and borders without entering Yemen.

Senate Speaker Essam Farid described the stance as “purely defensive,” noting Egypt’s role as a shield rather than an aggressor. The move follows a surge in Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, including a deadly strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10 that killed 12 and injured over 300.

Egypt approves military support for Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks escalate https://t.co/ftsM578oKx

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Since early October, Saudi airports have reported 19 deaths and 364 injuries from Houthi attacks, according to Bernama. The Houthis have also targeted Saudi Aramco oil facilities, disrupting global energy exports. Meanwhile, Egypt has avoided joining a mutual defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey in August.

Opposition and Concerns

The Civil Democratic Movement, an opposition bloc, criticized the move, urging Cairo to focus on mediation rather than regional conflict. The Egyptian Social Democratic Party ordered its lawmakers to abstain from voting, citing a lack of clarity on the mission’s aims, duration, and costs.

Cairo’s involvement in the Saudi-led coalition has been limited to a naval role since 2015, with Saudi Arabia remaining a major financial backer of Egypt under Sisi’s leadership.

Source: Daily Caller