Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said any Egyptian military support for Saudi Arabia would be limited to defending the kingdom’s territory and would not involve offensive operations in Yemen, as Cairo weighs its response to escalating Houthi attacks. Speaking at the Egypt Forum 2026 on Wednesday, Sisi said the proposed assistance was intended to protect Saudi Arabia’s land and borders, stressing that the region could not afford further instability. On Saturday, the Egyptian leader asked parliament to authorize military support for Riyadh if requested. Lawmakers have since held two closed-door sessions before postponing further deliberations until next week.
The diplomatic activity continued on Wednesday, when Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and intelligence chief Hassan Rashad travelled to Riyadh carrying a message from Sisi to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to Saudi state media. The contents of the message were not disclosed. Saudi Arabia has faced intensified Houthi attacks in recent weeks, disrupting aviation and threatening shipping and oil exports. France and the United Kingdom have also announced defensive support for the kingdom, according to reports. However, possible Egyptian military involvement remains politically sensitive. Some lawmakers have called for clear objectives and an assessment of the risks to Egyptian troops. The country’s experience in Yemen during the 1960s, when thousands of Egyptian soldiers were killed during the North Yemen civil war, remains a significant historical concern.
Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis in 2015, contributing naval and air support. In recent years, however, Cairo has pursued a more cautious regional policy, seeking to protect its own security and maintain diplomatic channels with competing regional powers. Egypt’s economic interests are also at stake. Disruptions around the Bab al-Mandab Strait have affected shipping through the Red Sea, contributing to pressure on traffic and revenue at the Suez Canal. Sisi’s latest comments underline Cairo’s effort to support a key Gulf ally while avoiding a broader military commitment that could deepen regional instability.
