Sisi says Egypt ready to defend Saudi Arabia ‘if requested’
The Egyptian president said Egypt would not seek a role in regional conflicts but would not stand by if Saudi Arabia’s security were threatened.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed Egypt's readiness to defend Saudi Arabia if requested, as tensions escalate between the kingdom and Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen. Since the Yemeni conflict intensified in July, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi interests, including energy facilities and the capital's airport, resulting in 13 deaths last week.
Moreover, the Houthis have imposed a blockade on the Bab al-Mandab Strait, exacerbating the strain on energy exports as Iran pursues its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. At a graduation ceremony for the Egyptian military academy, Sisi emphasized Egypt's stance, stating that while it is "inconceivable" for Cairo to remain passive if Saudi Arabia's security is threatened, it was not seeking involvement in regional conflicts.
Any potential deployment would necessitate parliamentary approval, and Sisi hoped for an emergency legislative session to grant authorization if requested. He stressed that the focus is on defense, not combat. Sisi's remarks come amid ongoing discussions between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who recently advocated for secure navigation in the Red Sea, a critical trade route.
The Houthi conflict not only endangers Saudi Arabia's security and energy exports but also poses risks to Egypt, as disruptions to Red Sea shipping could further diminish Suez Canal revenues, a vital source of foreign currency. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty revealed that the Suez Canal has lost approximately $11 billion in revenue since the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
Despite Egypt's historical military ties with Gulf states, Cairo has not joined the Mecca agreement, a mutual defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in August. Egypt generally prefers diplomatic solutions over regional military alliances, although Saudi Arabia has historically supported Egypt financially during times of economic crisis and political upheaval.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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