Egypt’s National Defense Council met on Sunday at Al Ittihadiya Palace under the chairmanship of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. A presidency statement said Egypt would provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and possible forms of support to defend its security, stability, territory and Islamic holy sites, stressing that the kingdom’s security is inextricably linked to that of Egypt and the wider Arab world.
The statement cited “escalating unacceptable attacks” on the kingdom and called for stepped-up diplomatic efforts. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Speaker Hisham Badawy, Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Ashraf Zaher and intelligence chiefs.
Bakry: deployment approved
The official statement did not mention troops. However, Mostafa Bakry, an MP and television host, said the council had concluded its meeting and approved sending military units on a specified mission, which he described as defensive. He said Egypt has never abandoned its role in protecting Arab national security, that Saudi Arabia is part of Egypt’s national security, and that any threat to the kingdom is a threat to Egypt.
In a television interview, Bakry said the presence of Egyptian forces in Saudi Arabia would come at the request of the Saudi leadership to support and defend the kingdom’s security.
Emergency session in parliament
The House of Representatives convened an emergency session at 1 p.m. on Sunday to consider a mandate for the president. Under Article 152 of the constitution, sending the armed forces on a combat mission abroad requires consulting the National Defense Council and the approval of two-thirds of lawmakers in a secret session. However, parliament adjourned Sunday’s session without announcing an outcome and will resume on Monday at 1 p.m. MP Maha Abdel Nasser said the session was extended so that all lawmakers could speak. Even if approved, the mandate would not automatically mean troops are deployed.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Military Academy on Saturday, Sisi said Egypt would act only at Riyadh’s request and did not want to fight or attack anyone, only to defend Saudi Arabia.
Houthi warning
Yahya al-Raee, speaker of the Houthi-run parliament in Sanaa, which is not internationally recognized, sent a letter to Badawy on Saturday. According to Al Masirah TV, he said the Houthis “categorically reject” Egypt being dragged into the conflict, warning it would pose “a grave danger” to Egypt’s national security.
Attacks on Saudi airports
Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said the Houthis have launched 20 attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh since the start of October. Attacks on Saudi airports have killed 19 people and wounded 364. The deadliest, on Oct. 10 in Riyadh, killed 13 people, including an Egyptian flight attendant. On Sunday morning, the coalition said it intercepted two ballistic missiles and three drones.
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement on Aug. 7, under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Riyadh activated it on Oct. 5. Egypt is not a member, but Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said joining is “under serious consideration.” Cairo joined a Saudi-led naval coalition on Aug. 13.
