Sisi says Egypt will help defend Saudi Arabia if asked, seeks parliament's approval

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday, 17 October 2026, that Egypt would take any measure to protect or defend Saudi Arabia if asked to do so. He spoke at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy.

Sisi said any such assistance requires the approval of Egypt's parliament. He called for an emergency session to grant authorisation if Saudi Arabia makes a request. The session is scheduled for Sunday, 18 October. Reuters reported that parliament announced it, and DW described it as expected.

Sisi said he was speaking only about defence. "I'm not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone," DW quoted him as saying. "We are speaking only about defense." He linked Egypt's readiness to the directives of Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The remarks came amid escalating attacks by Yemen's Houthis on Saudi Arabia. These include strikes on energy or oil facilities and on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have close ties. According to DW, Egypt was part of the Saudi-led coalition formed against the Houthis in 2015.

According to Al Jazeera, attacks on the Riyadh airport earlier this month wounded more than 300 people. Al Jazeera also reported attacks on airports in Dammam, Abha, Jazan and Najran. It said Yemen's Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government launched a full-scale military campaign against the Houthis this month. Al Jazeera also reported that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye agreed earlier this month to activate "deterrence measures" under a defence pact signed in August. According to DW, disruption in the Red Sea caused by Houthi attacks has affected Suez Canal shipping revenue.

In the same speech, according to Al Jazeera, Sisi said he would not seek to extend his presidency beyond 2030, in line with the constitution.

What is disputed

Death tolls differ. DW reported that one Houthi attack a week ago killed 13 people. Al Jazeera reported that attacks on King Khalid International Airport earlier this month killed 14. DW does not say its attack hit the airport, so the reports may not refer to the same incident.

What each side says

• Sisi said Egypt is "not looking for a role to play" but that it is "inconceivable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or stability to be harmed," according to DW.
• The Egyptian presidency said last month that "the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states is an integral part of Egypt's national security," Al Jazeera reported.
• Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of encouraging Houthi attacks, according to Al Jazeera. Iran rejects the accusation and has offered help to halt the conflict.

What is not known

The reports do not indicate whether Saudi Arabia has requested or intends to request Egyptian help. They do not include Saudi, Houthi or Iranian reactions to Sisi's remarks, or describe what form assistance would take. Quotations differ in wording between outlets.

Analysis

Sisi's remarks make Egyptian involvement conditional on two steps: a Saudi request and parliamentary approval. Neither has yet occurred, according to the reports reviewed by Vocemundi. If parliament grants authorisation on Sunday, Egypt would have a legal basis to act, but whether and how it would do so depends on Riyadh. Analysts cited by Al Jazeera link Egypt's interest to Suez Canal revenue and Red Sea shipping. Possible scenarios range from a symbolic signal of solidarity to an active defensive deployment. Reactions from Saudi Arabia, the Houthis and Iran could shape whether the move eases or adds to regional tensions.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.