Egypt pledges support to Saudi against Houthis

Egypt expressed its intention to provide military assistance to Saudi Arabia, which is engaged in a tense conflict with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, according to a decision made by the country's National Defence Council. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi chaired the meeting that led to the provision of "all necessary and possible" forms of support to Saudi Arabia.

The primary objectives of this support include safeguarding Saudi Arabia's security, stability, resources, territorial integrity, and protecting Islamic holy sites. While no specifics were provided regarding the extent or nature of the support, President el-Sissi expressed Egypt's readiness to take any action to defend Saudi Arabia if Riyadh so requested.

Following the decision, the Egyptian parliament convened on Sunday to discuss the possibility of authorizing military intervention, with a second session scheduled for Monday. Egypt's constitution mandates that two-thirds of lawmakers must approve any declaration of war or deployment of forces abroad, but el-Sissi emphasized that any action would be defensive in nature.