{
  "id": 19356091,
  "title": "Egypt's military has been in Saudi for months, says FM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/egypts-military-has-been-in-saudi-for-months-says-fm",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T15:45:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/11/1575027/egypts-military-has-been-saudi-months-says-fm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced on Monday that the country has had a military presence in Saudi Arabia for months, following its parliament's authorization last month to provide defense support. The deployment, initially undisclosed, is being strengthened. Abdelatty made the remarks in an interview with France24 and emphasized that Egypt is responding to a request from Saudi Arabia. Egypt's parliament authorized the support last month, following a request from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as Saudi Arabia faces regular attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis. It is unclear whether the lawmakers were aware of the existing military presence. Abdelatty stated that the deployment began a few months ago due to the attacks and aggressions against Saudi Arabia during the escalation with Iran. He further explained that Egypt's deployment aims at providing defensive objectives, particularly air defense capabilities to protect sensitive sites in Saudi Arabia, including the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Saudi authorities have accused the Houthis of attacks in the region, a claim the Houthis deny. Abdelatty downplayed a comment from a Houthi politburo member who welcomed Egypt's move, stating that they are trying to mediate and de-escalate the situation, as they believe there is no military solution. Saudi Arabia, a close ally of Cairo and a major financial backer of Egypt's President Sisi, has not publicly commented on Egypt's potential involvement in the conflict.",
  "summary": "CAIRO: Egypt has had a military presence in Saudi Arabia for months, Cairo’s top diplomat has said, two weeks after its parliament authorised helping defend the kingdom from Houthi attacks.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}