Egypt’s parliament approves military support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

Egypt’s parliament on Monday authorised President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide military assistance to defend Saudi Arabia if the kingdom requests help, following a wave of attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. The House of Representatives said the decision passed with the required two-thirds majority. It allows el-Sisi, in coordination with Riyadh, to take measures to protect Saudi territory, sovereignty and holy sites against external attacks. Parliament’s statement did not specify what assistance Egypt would provide or announce that troops were being sent. On 17 October, Yahya al-Raei, speaker of the Houthi-controlled parliament in Sanaa, warned Egypt against military involvement, saying it would endanger Egypt’s own security and stability.