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

Egypt's highest security authority has agreed to assist close ally Saudi Arabia in the growing conflict with Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, marking the latest battleground in the Iran war. Saudi Arabia has been requesting military aid from allies, while the Houthis have been carrying out repeated drone and missile strikes on Saudi airports and oil facilities.

At least 19 people have been killed, thousands of flights disrupted, and global markets unsettled. On Sunday, the Saudi Defense Minister met with the UAE president to discuss bolstering collaboration, following the kingdom's strained relations with the UAE after differing in backing factions within the Yemeni coalition against the Houthis.

The Egyptian move came a month after a Saudi crown prince's visit, with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi requesting permission to deploy troops and military equipment overseas. The National Defense Council, presided over by el-Sissi, decided to provide any necessary support to safeguard Saudi security, though no specifics were disclosed.

El-Sissi called for parliament to grant him authorization to deploy forces and equipment abroad on Saturday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty by phone about the ongoing regional developments. The escalation has endangered civilians in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen, which is currently experiencing a resurgence of civil war.

The Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen, Aden, witnessed its airport and government palace attacked in the past week, and an airstrike on Sunday killed at least nine, including five children and two women, in Yemen's rebel-held Saada province.