Sisi pledges support for Saudi Arabia if requested as Egypt’s parliament calls emergency session
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt was ready to defend Saudi Arabia if asked, as parliament scheduled an emergency sitting for Sunday.
Cairo, Egypt. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that Egypt was prepared to take whatever steps were needed to defend Saudi Arabia upon request, as Houthi attacks intensified. Egypt’s parliament subsequently scheduled an emergency sitting for Sunday.
Sisi seeks parliamentary authorisation
Speaking during a graduation event at the Egyptian Military Academy, Sisi said Egypt could not accept threats to Saudi Arabia’s security or stability. He stressed that Egypt had no intention of attacking others but stood ready to take defensive action.
Sisi acknowledged that parliamentary approval would be required and requested an emergency sitting to authorise action should Saudi Arabia ask for assistance.
Parliament announced shortly afterwards that a plenary sitting would begin on Sunday at 1pm (10am GMT), responding to his request. It did not reveal what would be on the agenda.
Houthi attacks and regional security
The Houthis, an Iran-aligned group in Yemen, have targeted the international airport in Riyadh and Saudi Aramco, the kingdom’s state oil giant, in recent days. The attacks came as combat resumed between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government after a truce broke down.
Sisi said any Egyptian action would follow guidance from Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The crown prince visited Sisi on September 15, after hostilities resumed in Yemen, for discussions that included Red Sea security and navigation.
Strategic and economic ties
Egypt maintains close economic and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia. Following the military’s removal of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Gulf oil producers supplied Egypt with billions of dollars through aid, deposits at its central bank and investments.
Egypt also became part of the Saudi-led coalition, which launched its intervention in 2015 to back Yemen’s government against the Houthis.
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