A Egyptian military expert said that the specific nature of the Egyptian forces or capabilities that might participate in any potential action to defend Saudi Arabia—be they air, ground, or naval—cannot be determined in advance.
Major General Mohamed al-Shahawy, from the Military Academy for Postgraduate and Strategic Studies, explained that the type of intervention would depend on an assessment of the situation what Saudi Arabia needs, as well as the nature and scope of the threats and the capabilities available to both parties.
Any potential Egyptian intervention to support Saudi Arabia—should it face an attack and request Egyptian assistance—would be determined by the nature of the existing threats and the kingdom’s specific requirements, he clarified.
Shahawy emphasized that the protection of Arab national security, particularly the security of the Gulf states, is directly linked to Egypt’s own national security.
He added that any potential Egyptian action should be viewed within the context of protecting Saudi territory and addressing threats it may face, rather than as a move toward waging war against other parties.
Assessing the situation
Shahawy noted that the nature and scale of such involvement would depend on an assessment of the military and political situation, available intelligence, and the resources that could be deployed to achieve the defensive objective.
He added that Egyptian support could include assistance in the realm of air defense—specifically in countering drones and missiles, given the nature of the threats facing the kingdom—as well as cooperation in intelligence sharing and military coordination.
Such efforts would contribute to strengthening defensive capabilities and protecting vital infrastructure and Saudi territory.
Shahawy emphasized that diplomatic engagement remains a crucial avenue for containing escalation, involving outreach to the relevant parties to halt hostilities and prevent the conflict from widening.
He noted that maintaining regional stability and avoiding bloodshed are top priorities when addressing regional crises.
Shahawy emphasized that the security of Saudi Arabia is of strategic importance to Egypt, given that the security of the Gulf is intrinsically linked to Egyptian national security.
Any military cooperation between the two nations requires joint coordination and a clear definition of objectives and tasks, he said, ensuring that available resources are directed toward protecting Saudi territory and addressing sources of threat.
Shahawy further noted that the nature of any potential Egyptian involvement would remain contingent upon the specific circumstances that necessitate it, as determined through coordination between Cairo and Riyadh.
He underscored the importance of distinguishing between defensive tasks—aimed at protecting territory and facilities—and offensive operations that could potentially expand the scope of the conflict.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm