Egyptian Parliament backs President Sisi's plan to give defensive aid to Saudi Arabia

Egyptian lawmakers gave the green light to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's request for the country to supply defensive assistance to Saudi Arabia whenever Riyadh seeks it. The vote, taken on Monday, met the two-thirds threshold after secret deliberations on Oct. 18 and 19, according to state newspaper Al-Ahram. Cairo views the Red Sea corridor as vital for foreign-currency earnings and fears that Houthi strikes could destabilize the route, endangering both trade and its principal financial backer.

By labeling the aid as "defensive," Egypt signals a willingness to help protect Saudi security while avoiding a broader deployment in Yemen. The parliament's swift approval mirrors the president's dominant influence in Egypt's political system. This step underscores the strategic link between Egypt's military capacity and its reliance on Saudi investment.