Egypt Considers Supporting Saudi Arabia Against Houthis as Sisi Calls for Emergency Parliamentary Session

Egypt is preparing to support Saudi Arabia in its fight against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi calling on lawmakers to consider assistance as tensions threaten regional security and vital maritime routes.

Egypt’s parliament has called an emergency session for Sunday following Sisi’s appeal, according to state media reports.

Saudi Arabia leads a coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Houthis. Egypt also joined the Saudi-led coalition in 2015, primarily contributing to efforts to protect shipping routes in the Red Sea.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy on Saturday, Sisi said Cairo would not remain passive if Saudi Arabia’s security and stability came under threat.

He indicated that Egypt would take whatever defensive measures were necessary under the leadership of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

“I am not talking about going to war with anyone or attacking anyone. We are talking only about defence,” Sisi said.

Shortly after his remarks, Egyptian state media announced that parliament would convene an emergency session at the president’s request.

Sisi’s latest remarks follow Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Cairo last month, during which the Egyptian president reiterated his support for measures to safeguard Saudi Arabia’s security.

Both leaders also emphasized the importance of maintaining free and secure navigation through the Red Sea, a strategic waterway connecting international shipping routes to the Suez Canal.

The two countries have longstanding security and economic ties, and any expanded Egyptian involvement could have implications for regional security and maritime trade.

However, the precise nature and scope of any potential Egyptian assistance had not been detailed in the announcement.

The security situation in the Red Sea is particularly significant for Egypt because the Suez Canal is one of the country’s major sources of foreign currency revenue.

Houthi attacks on commercial vessels began in late 2023 amid the war in Gaza, with the group saying the attacks were intended to show solidarity with Palestinians.

The attacks disrupted shipping through the Red Sea, prompting many shipping companies to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope in southern Africa, increasing transit times and transportation costs.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that the Suez Canal had lost approximately $11 billion in revenue since the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping began in 2023.

The disruption has placed additional pressure on Egypt’s economy and strengthened Cairo’s interest in restoring security along the Red Sea shipping corridor.

As Egypt considers its response, Sisi has emphasized that any action would be defensive rather than an attempt to initiate a new war, underscoring Cairo’s stated priority of protecting Saudi security and maintaining safe maritime navigation.