The key facts

  • El-Sisi stated that Egypt will take all necessary measures to defend Saudi Arabia at its request, but only for defensive purposes.
  • Egypt's parliament will hold an emergency plenary session on Sunday, October 18, 2026, to consider the question of authorization.
  • The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi facilities, including Riyadh's airport; a recent attack killed 13 people.

El-Sisi's Statement on Readiness to Defend Riyadh

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said on Saturday at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Capital that Egypt is ready to defend Saudi Arabia if it requests assistance. According to him, Egypt 'does not seek a role' in regional conflicts, but it is 'unthinkable' to allow harm to Saudi Arabia, its security, or stability. 'Egypt, of course, at the directives of His Majesty King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will take any measures to protect you or defend you,' el-Sisi said. He emphasized: 'I am not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone. We are talking only about defense.'

Parliament's Emergency Session

El-Sisi noted that such actions require the approval of the Egyptian parliament and asked that an emergency session be convened to grant authorization in the event of a request from Saudi Arabia. As the newspaper Al-Ahram reported, citing a statement from parliament, the plenary session of the council is scheduled for 13:00 (10:00 GMT) on Sunday, October 18, 2026, to consider the question of authorizing assistance to Saudi Arabia in defense.

Context of the Conflict with the Houthis

The statement came amid intensified attacks by Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis on Saudi targets, including strikes on energy facilities and Riyadh's main airport — King Khalid International Airport. According to Deutsche Welle, a week ago one of the attacks killed 13 people and became the deadliest in the country in more than a decade. The Houthis have been in conflict with Saudi Arabia since 2015, when the kingdom led a military coalition in support of the Yemeni government after the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014. According to Anadolu, the recent fighting began in July, when the 2022 truce collapsed. Egypt was part of the Saudi coalition in 2015 and is tied to Riyadh by close strategic and economic links; disruptions in the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks have also affected the Suez Canal's shipping revenues.