Egypt's parliament authorizes military support for Saudi Arabia to defend against Houthi attacks

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s parliament on Monday voted to authorize President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to provide Saudi Arabia with military support in defending the kingdom against attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The parliament said in a statement that the vote was meant to give el-Sissi authorization to take necessary measures to back Saudi Arabia in the defense of its territory and sovereignty against an external “aggression.” The parliament didn’t provide a breakdown of the closed-door vote, but the chamber is overwhelmingly dominated by pro-government lawmakers. Egypt won’t provide ground troops, regional official says The government didn’t give details about the support, prompting lawmakers to question the nature and extent of the proposed assistance.

A regional official, briefed on the matter, said that Egypt will deploy air defense systems and aircraft to help repel missiles and drones fired at Saudi Arabia. The Egyptian support is defensive in nature and won’t include any ground troops in Yemen, the official said on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to reporters. The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen’s long-running conflict.

Because the debates weren’t open, it wasn’t immediately clear how the discussions went. Egypt’s highest security body pledged in a meeting earlier this month to provide “all necessary and possible forms of support” to Saudi Arabia to defend “its security and stability, safeguard its resources and territorial integrity, and protect Islamic holy sites.” In its meeting, chaired by el-Sissi, the National Defense Council also said that Egypt would increase its diplomatic efforts to find a settlement to the conflict. Saudi Arabia provides Egypt with billions in aid and investment Egypt “will carry out any measure to protect Saudi Arabia,” el-Sissi said earlier this month.

“I’m not speaking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone. I’m speaking only for defense.” Saudi Arabia is one of Egypt’s main financial backers, providing the country with billions of dollars in financial aid and investments, particularly since el-Sissi came to power following the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader, in 2013. Remittances from Egyptians working in Saudi Ar…

Remittances from Egyptians working in Saudi Arabia are al… CAIRO: Egypt’s parliament authorized on Monday sending military support to Saudi Arabia to defend against Houthi attacks, following a request from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The House of Representatives “approved authorizing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to take the necessary measures to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” state newspaper Al-Ahram reported.

Egypt’s parliament authorized Monday military support for Saudi Arabia to defend against Houthi attacks, following a request from President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.