Egypt's parliament has authorised President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia as attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement intensify, potentially expanding Cairo's involvement in the regional security crisis.
Lawmakers approved the measure on Monday, October 26, following several closed-door sessions examining Egypt's response to the escalating conflict.
The decision gives the president authority to take necessary measures, in coordination with Saudi Arabia, to defend the kingdom's territory, sovereignty and religious sites against external attacks.
According to an official parliamentary statement reported by Egyptian media, the authorisation received the required legislative support.
However, the approval does not mean Egyptian troops have already been deployed.
No formal Saudi request for Egyptian forces had been announced at the time of reporting, and the government has not publicly specified the scale or composition of any potential military assistance.
The decision follows a series of missile and drone attacks attributed to the Iran-aligned Houthis, whose renewed confrontation with Saudi-backed forces has threatened airports, energy facilities and shipping routes.
President el-Sisi previously said Egypt's involvement would be strictly defensive and would not include military operations against Yemen.
The Associated Press reported that a regional official familiar with the discussions said potential assistance could include air-defence systems and aircraft to intercept incoming missiles and drones.
Those arrangements have not been formally announced by Egypt's government.
The parliamentary vote also exposed concerns about the possible consequences of military involvement.
Egypt's Social Democratic Party said its parliamentary representatives would abstain, citing insufficient information about the proposed mission's objectives, duration, financial cost and potential risks.
The party called for diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict.
Egypt's interest in the crisis extends beyond its longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Houthi advances along Yemen's Red Sea coastline have increased concerns about security around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a major shipping passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Disruption to maritime traffic through the region also threatens the Suez Canal, an important source of foreign currency for Egypt.
Cairo previously participated in the Saudi-led military coalition during Yemen's civil war, including through naval operations in 2015.
The latest authorisation comes as regional governments pursue diplomatic engagement aimed at preventing further escalation.
For now, Egypt has established the legal authority to provide defensive military assistance, while the timing and extent of any deployment remain uncertain.
