Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that Egypt would be ready to take any steps required to defend Saudi Arabia if Riyadh requested it. His remarks came as Houthi attacks on the kingdom intensified.
Egypt’s parliament responded by announcing an emergency plenary session for Sunday, but it did not say what would be on the agenda.
Sisi’s pledge at the Egyptian Military Academy
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy, Sisi said it was unthinkable that Egypt would allow harm to come to Saudi Arabia, its security or its stability. He stressed that Egypt did not intend to attack anyone, but said it was prepared to act in defence.
Houthi strikes and the request for parliamentary approval
The Iran-aligned Houthis have recently struck Riyadh’s international airport and the state oil company Saudi Aramco. The attacks came amid renewed fighting with Saudi-backed forces loyal to the internationally recognised government, after a truce collapsed.
Sisi said Egypt would act in line with guidance from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The crown prince visited Sisi on September 15, after fighting in Yemen reignited, to discuss security and navigation in the Red Sea. Sisi asked for an emergency session so that parliament could authorise any action if Egypt is asked to act.
Parliament then said it would hold the plenary session at 1 p.m. (1000 GMT) on Sunday, in response to the request.
Long-standing ties between Cairo and Riyadh
Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close strategic and economic partners. Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Gulf states provided Egypt with billions of dollars in aid, central-bank deposits and investments after the military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.
Egypt also joined the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in 2015 to support the Yemeni government against the Houthis.
