Yemen war: Why Egypt's vow to defend Saudi Arabia is a risky gamble

Egypt has pledged to defend Saudi Arabia, a move analysts see as a risky gamble. The Egyptian leader, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, met with the Saudi Crown Prince in Cairo on September 15, 2026. The agreement highlights Egypt's potential exposure, as the country could face losses in assets like the Suez Canal, pipelines, energy terminals, and fuel storage facilities if it engages in direct combat against Yemen's Houthis.

The Houthis could disrupt shipping in the canal, raising costs and forcing vessels onto longer routes, ultimately impacting Egypt's economy. A more extreme scenario involves direct attacks on vessels or infrastructure serving the canal, potentially leading to a complete suspension of navigation, which would benefit Iran and the Houthis by blocking US and Israeli naval movements.

Egypt's involvement could further expose its infrastructure, including the Sumed pipeline. The Saudi-Yemen conflict has exposed gaps in Saudi defenses, hinting that US protection through intelligence and targeting assistance may not guarantee complete security. Egypt's parliament, dominated by military and intelligence institutions, lacks the capacity to scrutinize the war's objectives, limits, or costs, leaving Egyptians unaware of the human and economic consequences they might bear.