Egyptian parliament to hold emergency session as Sisi seeks approval to defend Saudi Arabia

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has vowed to take 'any measure' to defend Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks. Egyptian leader says his armed forces are ready to assist Saudi Arabia 'if requested'; also announces that he won't seek another presidential term Egyptian parliament to hold emergency session as Sisi seeks approval to defend Saudi Arabia Egypt's parliament will meet in an emergency session on Sunday after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi requested authorisation that could allow Egypt to support the defence of Saudi Arabia, if requested by the kingdom.

"The House of Representatives, headed by Counsellor Hisham Badawi, will hold an emergency session tomorrow, Sunday, in response to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's call," the Egyptian Al-Ahram newspaper reported. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy on Saturday, the Egyptian president said that Egypt would take any measures necessary to defend Saudi Arabia if asked. Sisi said Egypt would act in accordance with guidance from Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who visited Sisi on September 15, after fighting in Yemen reignited, to discuss issues including security and navigation in the Red Sea.

"I know this requires the approval of the Egyptian parliament, and I ask that an emergency session be held so that it can give us that authorisation if we are asked," Sisi said. Shortly after Sisi’s speech, parliament said it would hold a plenary session on Sunday in response to the request, though it did not disclose the agenda. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday said Egypt was ready to defend Saudi Arabia “if requested”, as fighting flares between the kingdom and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Since Yemen’s war reignited in July, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked Saudi targets, including energy facilities and Riyadh’s international airport, where 13 people were killed in a single attack last week. The Houthis have also blockaded the Bab al-Mandab Strait, piling pressure on energy exports as Iran presses its own blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian military academy, Sisi said Egypt was “not looking for a role to play” in regional conflicts, but added that it was “inconceivable” for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was “harmed or its security and stability threatened”.

“Egypt, of course, with the directives of His Majesty King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will carry out any measure to protect you or defend you,” he said. He added that any deployment would require parliamentary approval and said he hoped lawmakers would convene in an emergency session to grant authorisation “if it is requested of us”. “I’m not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone,” Sisi said.

“We are speaking only about defence.” During a visit to Egypt last month, de facto Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman and Sisi called for free and secure navigation in the Red Sea, a vital trade route. The conflict with the Houthis poses risks not only to Saudi Arabia’s security and energy exports, but also to Egypt, where disruption to Red Sea shipping could further reduce revenues from the Suez Canal, a key source of foreign currency. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that Egypt’s Suez Canal lost about $11 billion in revenues since the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.