The Egyptian House of Representatives has authorized President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to deploy defensive military support to Saudi Arabia following persistent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The parliamentary vote, passed by a large majority during a session on Monday, allows Egyptian forces to be sent abroad strictly to protect Saudi territory, sovereignty, and borders upon a formal request from Riyadh. Officials in Cairo stressed that the mandate is entirely defensive and will not involve offensive operations inside Yemen. Saudi Arabia has not yet issued an official request for troop deployment.
The legislative decision coincides with intensive regional diplomatic moves aimed at preventing wider regional conflict. A high-level delegation comprising Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Pakistani Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir held talks in Tehran with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday. Iranian officials described the dialogue as positive, with all sides agreeing to continue discussions.
Simultaneously, military confrontations between Saudi forces and Houthi fighters have intensified. Coalition spokesperson Col. Turki al-Malki reported that Saudi air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, along with three drones over the capital and southern regions. Coalition forces subsequently struck Houthi positions inside Yemen, destroying five storage tunnels, four missile launchers, and a depot.
Conversely, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group carried out strikes against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, and border facilities in Jizan. The group also published footage alleging drone attacks on Saudi military personnel in Najran, Jizan, and Asir, though the imagery could not be independently verified.
Early Tuesday, Saudi Civil Defense briefly raised security warnings for potential threats in the Eastern Province and Al-Kharj before lifting them shortly after. Houthi representatives accused the coalition of launching 119 airstrikes and missile attacks across several Yemeni governorates over a 24-hour span.
Sources: bbc.com
