Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Saturday called on parliament to convene an emergency session to authorise him to intervene in defence of Saudi Arabia if requested by the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is facing attacks from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels.
Fighting erupted in July after the Houthis announced a blockade of Saudi ports, claiming the kingdom was besieging parts of Yemen, and seized additional territory. Saudi-led forces launched a full-scale military campaign against the militia early this month, saying their goal was to eliminate the group.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for new classes of military academy and college cadets, Mr El Sisi said the move 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,” he added.
Mr El Sisi said Egypt stood firmly behind efforts to protect the territory of its Gulf allies.
“Egypt will take any measures necessary to protect and defend Saudi Arabia,” he said.
The Houthis are now fighting against the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this week, a missile and drone attack targeted the presidential palace in Aden, which has been the seat of Yemen's internationally recognised, Saudi-backed government since 2015, killing and injuring several security personnel. The Houthis, one of Tehran’s main proxy militant groups, claimed they were targeting a Saudi military command centre in the city. Attacks on its airport risk isolating Yemen’s government from its main backer and supplier.
The fighting hasn’t been confined to Yemen, with the rebels staging attacks on the Saudi capital’s main airport last week that killed 17 people, injured more than 300 and forced a complete shutdown of operations. There have been 20 strikes on the airport since the start of October.