Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has requested emergency parliamentary approval to defend Saudi Arabia against escalating attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
- Egyptian President al-Sisi requested emergency parliamentary approval to potentially intervene militarily in defense of Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks.
- Egypt's action follows Pakistan and Turkey increasing their military support for Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement.
- Al-Sisi emphasized Egypt would only act defensively and only with parliamentary consent, considering Saudi security vital to Egyptian interests.
- While Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan have pledged or deployed defensive support in Saudi Arabia, none have confirmed sending combat troops to fight in Yemen.
The announcement follows military assistance from Pakistan and Turkey, which have deployed personnel, equipment and other defensive resources to support Saudi Arabia amid renewed fighting in Yemen.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy on Saturday, October 17, al-Sisi said Egypt was prepared to intervene if requested by Saudi Arabia, but stressed that any action would require parliamentary approval.
“I call on parliament to convene an emergency session to authorise us to take action to intervene in defence of Saudi Arabia, if we are asked to do so,” he said.
“This move and this defence require approval from the Egyptian parliament. I hope parliament will convene an emergency session to grant this authorisation.
"I am not speaking about attacking or waging war. We are seeking only to defend.”
Egypt's House of Representatives subsequently scheduled an emergency session for Sunday, October 18, in response to the president's request.
The announcement comes amid renewed missile and drone attacks by the Houthis on Saudi infrastructure, including Riyadh's international airport and facilities belonging to state oil company Saudi Aramco.
Fighting intensified after a truce in Yemen collapsed, with Saudi-backed forces launching a fresh campaign against the Houthis, who control significant territory in the country.
Al-Sisi said Egypt considered Saudi Arabia's security an important national interest and would not stand aside if the kingdom faced further threats.
"I want to tell the whole world that we are not looking for a role to play, but it is absolutely unacceptable for us to allow the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be targeted or for its security and stability to be undermined," he added.
Pakistan and Turkey expand military support for Saudi Arabia
Egypt's announcement comes as Pakistan and Turkey have stepped up their defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by the three countries on August 7, 2026.
The agreement establishes a collective defence arrangement under which an armed attack against one member is treated as an attack against all three.
Pakistan has already confirmed the deployment of military personnel to Saudi Arabia. On October 7, Pakistani military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the country's forces were carrying out duties in the kingdom across multiple military capabilities and operations.
Two days later, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry confirmed that substantial military personnel and resources were stationed in Riyadh, emphasising that their role was defensive rather than conducting attacks inside Yemen.
Turkey has also provided military and technical assistance, including air defence systems, intelligence support, drone operators and logistics, according to Reuters.
On October 7, Reuters reported that Ankara was coordinating its support directly with Saudi Arabia while the agreement awaited ratification by Turkey's parliament.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan subsequently announced on October 12 that his government would submit the defence pact to parliament for approval, reaffirming Turkey's support for Saudi Arabia following the Houthi attacks.
Earlier in October, senior military and government officials from Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia met in Riyadh and agreed to mobilise military resources and defensive capabilities to strengthen the kingdom's security.
However, neither Pakistan nor Turkey has publicly confirmed deploying combat troops into Yemen to fight the Houthis.
Their reported assistance has focused on defending Saudi territory, supplying equipment and strengthening military coordination.