Egypt's top security body agrees to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacks

Egypt's top security body has agreed to assist Saudi Arabia in defending itself against the recent surge of attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen, marking a critical escalation in the ongoing conflict. The Saudi kingdom has been seeking military support from allies amid the ongoing "Iran war." The Houthis have been launching attacks using drones and missiles, capable of altering course mid-flight, which poses a significant challenge for Saudi Arabia's defense systems.

The attacks have resulted in at least 19 deaths, disrupted numerous flights, and caused global markets to flinch. Meanwhile, the Saudi defense minister met with the UAE president on Sunday to discuss ways to enhance cooperation, following the two nations' past tense relations due to their differing support for factions in the Yemeni civil war.

Egypt's involvement comes a month after a meeting between the Saudi crown prince and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El Sissi. The National Defense Council, chaired by El Sissi, decided to provide "all possible forms of support" to Saudi Arabia for its defense, although specific details were not disclosed. El Sissi recently called for parliamentary approval to deploy troops and military equipment abroad for defense purposes.

On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conversed with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty about the latest regional developments. Civilians in Yemen and Saudi Arabia have suffered casualties as the conflict intensified, with Yemen's internationally recognized government's capital, Aden, facing repeated attacks on its airport and government palace.

An airstrike in Yemen's Saada province last Sunday killed nine people, including five children and two women, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry. Accusations of civilian casualties have been exchanged, with Houthi spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi blaming Saudi Arabia for the attack in the Saada district. The Houthis reported carrying out 110 missile strikes or airstrikes against civilian sites in Sanaa and other cities, though the Associated Press could not independently verify these claims.

In Saudi Arabia, a Saudi helicopter gunship crashed near Najran due to a technical malfunction, killing both crew members. Meanwhile, a Houthi projectile hit a residential area in Najran province, injuring six people. The Houthis have resumed attacks on Saudi Arabia due to the kingdom's support for Yemen's recognized government in the civil war.

Recent territorial gains by the rebels along Yemen's Red Sea coast and near the Bab El Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route, have fueled the conflict. The Houthis' chief negotiator blamed Saudi Arabia for the current escalation, stating that the kingdom had warned the rebels against targeting the Sanaa airport in mid-July. The Houthis have declared their own blockade on Saudi Arabia, calling for mediation to resolve the dispute.