Egyptian Parliament Grants Army Mandate to Defend Saudi Borders
Lawmakers approved President Sisi's request to deploy forces if Riyadh asks for help against Houthi attacks, marking a direct military commitment for the first time since 2015.
By Marco Kapoor ·
Regional conflict dynamics shifted on Monday when the Egyptian parliament voted to authorize the military to defend Saudi Arabia.
The approval responds to a formal request from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who asked lawmakers last week to grant the armed forces authority to engage in direct support for their Gulf ally.
This decision marks a departure from previous policy, as Egypt has historically condemned Iranian-backed aggression without entering direct combat or joining the Mecca mutual defense pact signed in August.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that Egypt's participation in that pact remains under serious consideration.
The parliamentary move follows a visit by Abdelatty and intelligence chief Hassan Rashad to Riyadh on Wednesday.
They delivered a letter from Sisi to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman specifying that Egyptian support would focus on defending Saudi territory and borders rather than launching attacks inside Yemen.
Abdelatty emphasized after the trip that Cairo seeks to explore every opportunity for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing Yemen conflict.
The authorization arrives as Houthi strikes have intensified, targeting Riyadh's international airport and Saudi Aramco facilities.
These attacks have disrupted air travel and oil exports, adding pressure on the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which serves as a gateway to the Suez Canal.
Although Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition in March 2015, its role was primarily naval, with limited ground combat involvement despite the deployment of approximately 800 troops.
Egypt has not undertaken a large-scale foreign ground deployment since the 1991 Gulf War, making this new mandate a notable shift in military posture.
Saudi Arabia remains a critical financial partner for Cairo, providing billions in aid and energy supplies under the current administration.
