Egypt has committed to providing Saudi Arabia with all “necessary” defensive support to counter escalating missile and drone attacks from the Yemeni paramilitary group Houthi.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi revealed the plan during Cairo’s latest national defense meeting, which resolved to extend full backing to safeguard Riyadh’s security, territorial integrity, and holy sites.
Egyptian lawmakers then arranged an emergency session to debate authorizing military assistance, with officials emphasizing that any action would remain strictly defensive.
“It is inconceivable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or its stability to be harmed,” The New York Times quoted el-Sisi as saying.
Houthi officials warned Cairo that military involvement would endanger its own internal stability, while Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty noted that membership in the larger Mecca Defense Alliance or Makkah pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey remains under consideration.
Sustained Attacks, Missile Risks
The pledge follows a surge of deadly strikes by the Iran-backed Shia Islamist militia against Saudi infrastructure during the broader Middle East war, including the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and oil facilities in Dhahran, Eastern Province.
The attacks have disrupted regional energy corridors and prompted international allies to bolster the kingdom’s defenses.
Meanwhile, a recent report by The Wall Street Journal verified that the Houthis are attempting to manufacture advanced medium-range ballistic missiles using Chinese-sourced components, amplifying the security threat across the region.