Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has sought Parliamentary approval to deploy the military in support of Saudi Arabia. This comes in response to increased attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeting Saudi airports and oil facilities.
Al-Sisi clarified that any military deployment would be defensive and contingent upon a request from Saudi Arabia. Speaking at a military graduation ceremony, he emphasized Egypt’s readiness to take all measures needed to assist the kingdom.
The Egyptian Constitution mandates Presidential consultation with the National Defense Council and requires approval from two-thirds of Parliament before deploying forces abroad. In line with this, al-Sisi chaired a Defense Council meeting to assess the “grave escalations” and “unacceptable attacks” against Saudi Arabia. The council confirmed its commitment to support Saudi Arabia in protecting its security and resources.
To date, Egypt has managed to avoid active involvement in regional conflicts, focusing instead on de-escalation and political solutions—an achievement acknowledged by some as a hallmark of al-Sisi’s leadership.
Retired army brigadier and strategic analyst Samir Ragheb spoke to CBS News about the need for Egypt to uphold its commitments to Gulf state security. Ragheb expressed that it is critical for Egypt to act rather than merely issue statements, drawing attention to the financial support Egypt has received from Gulf states. He warned that failure to act would render Egypt’s commitments meaningless.
On Sunday, Parliament was called to an emergency session regarding the resolution, initially expected to vote by Tuesday. However, the vote was deferred to the following Monday. The Egyptian Social Democratic Party has advised its members to abstain, citing a lack of detailed information about the mission.
Ragheb predicts further tension in the region, indicating threats beyond the Houthis, including Iranian and Iraqi forces. He asserted that Egypt must engage to maintain its regional influence, arguing that regional powers like Saudi Arabia are forming new alliances, such as the Mecca Accords with Turkey and Pakistan.
According to Ragheb, these developments highlight the diminishing reliance on U.S. defense support, suggesting that Egypt should step into a more prominent role in the region’s security dynamics.
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