Egyptian Parliament authorizes Sisi to send defensive forces to Saudi Arabia

The Egyptian House of Representatives on Monday authorized President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to take the necessary measures to support and defend Saudi Arabia, including sending forces on a defensive mission if the kingdom requests it.

The Egyptian House of Representatives, in a session held on Monday, October 26, and chaired by Counselor Hisham Badawi, authorized President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to take the necessary measures to support Saudi Arabia and defend its territory, including sending Egyptian forces on a defensive mission if the kingdom requests it.

The approval was granted in accordance with Article 152 of the Egyptian Constitution and Article 130 of the House of Representatives’ internal regulations. The armed forces may not be sent on a combat mission outside the country’s borders without first consulting the National Defense Council and securing the approval of two-thirds of the House’s members. The session was held behind closed doors, and the vote was conducted by roll call.

الرئيس المصري عبد الفتاح السيسي خلال لقاء في شرم الشيخ في أكتوبر 2025 (أرشيف)

The National Defense Council, chaired by Sisi, had earlier approved sending Egyptian military forces to Saudi Arabia on a defensive mission, without disclosing the size of the forces, the participating units or the date of their deployment.

The House of Representatives postponed consideration of the authorization request twice before approving it during Monday’s session. Sisi had previously said that Egypt’s military effort was aimed at defending Saudi Arabia’s territory and borders and did not include launching attacks on Yemen.

Lawmakers Mustafa Bakri said Egypt was defending its security in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, considering the security of the region a shared responsibility among the states bordering it.