Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s parliament is expected to spend three days debating a request to authorize President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia if the kingdom asks for help, lawmaker Mostafa Bakry said on Sunday. A vote was anticipated on Tuesday, although other lawmakers said deliberations would resume on Monday and that the timing of any decision remained unsettled.
The House of Representatives convened in plenary session on Sunday afternoon after President Sisi asked lawmakers to approve possible defensive assistance. The request followed escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Houthi movement. Bakry said many members had asked to speak, prompting the chamber to extend its discussions beyond the first day. He said the proposed authorization would concern a defined mission and location, with any Egyptian military presence in Saudi Arabia dependent on a request from Riyadh.
The president has stressed that Egypt’s offer is defensive. In remarks on Saturday, he said Cairo was not seeking to confront or attack another party, but would be prepared to help protect Saudi security and sovereignty if asked. He called for parliamentary approval, saying Egypt could not simply stand aside if the kingdom’s stability and borders were threatened.
The schedule for the parliamentary process remained fluid. Bakry said on his social-media account that a vote was expected Tuesday, after three days of sessions. But lawmakers speaking to news agencies said debate had been extended to allow members to express their views, with discussions set to continue on Monday. Reports also described the vote as postponed. Parliament had not announced a final decision or published the terms of any authorization.
The debate follows a meeting of Egypt’s National Defence Council on Sunday morning, chaired by President Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace. The council said Egypt would provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and available support to defend its borders and security, while also pursuing diplomatic efforts to contain the escalation and seek political solutions.
The council’s statement described attacks on Saudi Arabia as unacceptable and said the kingdom’s national security was closely connected to Egyptian and broader Arab security. It reaffirmed solidarity between the two countries, citing their long-standing ties. The announcement strengthened Egypt’s public commitment to Saudi Arabia but did not specify what assistance might involve.
The attacks have raised concerns beyond the two countries. The Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait are important routes for international shipping, and disruption in the southern Red Sea can affect traffic heading toward the Suez Canal. Egypt has faced economic consequences from reduced shipping through the canal since Houthi attacks began disrupting commercial traffic in 2023. Sisi has said that threats to the Red Sea and international maritime routes affect Egyptian and Arab security.
Egypt’s Constitution requires parliamentary and National Defence Council approval before Egyptian troops can be deployed on combat missions abroad. The council has now declared its support for providing assistance, while Parliament is considering the authorization requested by the president. The debate could therefore determine whether the government has formal backing to act if Saudi Arabia makes a request. Officials have not publicly set out a proposed force size, deployment plan or specific military role.
The lack of operational details is significant. Possible forms of support could range from intelligence and logistical assistance to military equipment or the deployment of personnel, but Egyptian officials have not identified which options are under consideration. Bakry’s description of a limited, defined mission reflects his account of the parliamentary discussions, not a publicly released authorization.
Egyptian and Iranian officials also discussed efforts to reduce regional tensions in Baghdad on Saturday, including the need to halt attacks against Saudi Arabia. Cairo’s simultaneous support for Riyadh and engagement on de-escalation reflects the diplomatic dimension of the crisis. The National Defence Council said Egypt would continue efforts to contain the escalation even as it pledged support for Saudi defence.
The parliamentary debate comes amid a renewed conflict involving the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, following the collapse of a truce. Attacks on Saudi territory have increased pressure on Riyadh and its partners to respond. For Egypt, the situation involves both its strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia and the security of Red Sea shipping, a vital interest for the country.
The coming sessions will show whether lawmakers approve the request and how narrowly they define it. For now, Egypt has publicly pledged support, but the details of any military involvement remain undecided.
