CAIRO, Sunday, October 18, 2026 — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged on Saturday that Egypt stands ready to defend Saudi Arabia against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels if the kingdom asks for military help, in the strongest Egyptian commitment yet since the regional conflict reignited.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy, Sisi said it was “inconceivable” for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was “harmed or its security and stability threatened,” state media reported.
Strictly defensive, Sisi insists
The president stressed that any Egyptian involvement would be purely defensive, saying his country was “not looking for a role to play” in regional conflicts.
“I’m not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone,” Sisi said, according to state media. “We are speaking only about defence.”
“Egypt, of course, with the directives of His Majesty King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will carry out any measure to protect you or defend you,” he added.
Emergency parliament session on Sunday
Sisi said any military deployment would require parliamentary approval, and expressed hope lawmakers would convene in an emergency session to authorise support “if it is requested of us.”
Egyptian state media later confirmed that parliament will hold the emergency session on Sunday at the president’s request to consider authorising military action in defence of Saudi Arabia.
High stakes for Cairo
Egypt joined the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen in 2015, though its role has largely focused on securing Red Sea shipping routes rather than frontline combat. The renewed conflict threatens Cairo’s economic interests directly — Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that the Suez Canal has lost about $11 billion in revenue since the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels in 2023.
Escalation across the region
Sisi’s offer comes amid a sharp escalation in Houthi attacks on Saudi territory. A strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed 13 people, including an American, according to reports, and the Houthis also struck the headquarters of Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco this week.
On Saturday, Saudi Arabia said its forces had intercepted and destroyed four drones over the Riyadh region, the Eastern Province and the south of the country, coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki announced.
The offer raises the prospect of a wider regional conflict, with Arab leaders fearing the war could spiral further. Iran, meanwhile, has backed a political process and offered to mediate, according to regional reports.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sisi’s Defence Pledge to Saudi Arabia
What did President Sisi pledge?
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged on October 17, 2026, that Egypt stands ready to defend Saudi Arabia militarily against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels if the kingdom requests military help — the strongest Egyptian commitment since the regional conflict reignited.
What exactly did Sisi say?
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy, Sisi said it was “inconceivable” for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was “harmed or its security and stability threatened,” and added that Egypt would “carry out any measure to protect you or defend you” at the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to state media.
Would Egypt’s involvement be offensive or defensive?
Purely defensive. Sisi stressed that Egypt was “not looking for a role to play” in regional conflicts: “I’m not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone. We are speaking only about defence.”
Does Sisi need parliament’s approval for a deployment?
Yes. Sisi said any military deployment would require parliamentary approval, and Egyptian state media confirmed parliament would hold an emergency session on Sunday, October 18, at the president’s request to consider authorising military action in defence of Saudi Arabia.
Why does this conflict matter so much to Egypt?
The stakes are economic as well as strategic. Egypt joined the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen in 2015, with its role largely focused on securing Red Sea shipping routes rather than frontline combat. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that the Suez Canal has lost about $11 billion in revenue since the Houthis began attacking commercial vessels in 2023.
What attacks prompted Sisi’s offer?
The pledge comes amid a sharp escalation: a strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed 13 people, including an American, according to reports; the Houthis also struck the headquarters of Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco that week; and on October 17, Saudi forces intercepted and destroyed four drones over the Riyadh region, the Eastern Province and the south of the country, coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki announced.
