Egypt’s parliament has approved a request authorizing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to take measures to support Saudi Arabia as escalating Houthi attacks raise concerns over regional security and vital international shipping routes. Sisi sought parliamentary approval last week amid fears that further advances by Yemen’s Houthi movement could threaten Saudi territory and disrupt shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The strategic waterway links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a key passage for vessels travelling between Europe and Asia through the Suez Canal. Disruption to the route could affect international trade, energy shipments and Egypt’s canal revenues.
Egypt, which has one of the largest militaries in the Middle East, previously participated in the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen’s civil war in 2015. Cairo’s contribution was primarily naval, although it also deployed a limited number of ground troops. The latest parliamentary decision could signal a broader role for Egypt in supporting Saudi Arabia, although the precise nature, scale and timing of any military assistance have not been specified. The development comes amid wider regional tensions involving the Houthis, who are backed by Iran and have repeatedly targeted shipping and regional interests. Any further escalation could increase security risks around the Red Sea, one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.
