El Sisi seeks parliamentary approval to defend Saudi Arabia if asked

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi urged parliament to convene an urgent session to grant him the authority to defend Saudi Arabia, if requested. The Middle Eastern nation is currently under attack from Houthi rebels from Yemen, who have seized territory and imposed a blockade on Saudi ports since July. In response, Saudi-led forces initiated a military campaign against the militia earlier this month, aiming to eliminate the group.

At a graduation ceremony for military academy and college cadets, El Sisi requested parliamentary approval for any actions taken to defend Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that the objective is solely defensive. He reiterated Egypt's unwavering support for its Gulf allies and stated that Egypt would take all necessary measures to protect and defend Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis, aligned with Iran, are battling both the internationally-recognized Yemeni government and their Saudi adversaries. On Wednesday, a missile and drone strike hit the presidential palace in Aden, the seat of the Yemeni government since 2015, resulting in casualties among security personnel. The Houthis, a key Iranian-backed militant group, claimed they were targeting a Saudi military command center in Aden.

The ongoing conflict has spread beyond Yemen's borders, with the rebels launching attacks on the Saudi capital's main airport last week, resulting in 17 deaths, over 300 injuries, and a complete shutdown of airport operations. Since the beginning of October, there have been 20 strikes on the airport.