Sisi Asks Egypt's Parliament to Back Defending Saudi Arabia if Riyadh Asks

Updated 20:18 UTC

Egypt's parliament authorised President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday to take all necessary measures to help Saudi Arabia defend itself, Reuters reported. The closed session vote completed the authorisation Sisi requested on October 17, after the delay that pushed the decision to October 26. At least two thirds of the chamber backed the measure, according to an official parliamentary statement. Parliament did not publish the tally, and no formal Saudi request for Egyptian troops has been announced.

The statement did not specify what kind of support Egypt would provide. Taher al-Khouly, deputy head of parliament's legislative committee, told Reuters that Egypt would send forces to Saudi Arabia in coordination between the two countries and at Saudi Arabia's request. Sisi made clear in a letter delivered to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week that Egypt's support would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders rather than attacking Yemen, Reuters reported, and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said afterwards that Cairo advocated exploring every opportunity to resolve the Yemen conflict diplomatically.

Opposition groups opposed or declined to back the move. The Civil Democratic Movement rejected Egyptian military involvement in a regional war and said Cairo's role should focus on mediation. The Egyptian Social Democratic Party had said its lawmakers would abstain, citing a lack of information on the mission's aims, duration and cost, while saying it remained supportive of Saudi Arabia.

The authorisation does not put Egyptian forces into action on its own. Egypt has not publicly engaged in direct combat in the current conflict, and it has not joined the Mecca mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey, signed in August, though Abdelatty said this month that Egyptian membership in the pact remains under serious consideration.

Updated 18:40 UTC, October 19, 2026

Egypt's parliament delayed its vote on authorising the armed forces to support Saudi Arabia until October 26, Reuters reported on Monday. Lawmakers adjourned a second closed door session held to discuss President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's request for authority to support the kingdom if Riyadh asks, following Houthi attacks on Saudi oil and other infrastructure. Egypt's constitution requires a two thirds majority in parliament, after consultation with the National Defence Council, to send the armed forces on a combat mission outside the country. The Egyptian Social Democratic Party said on Sunday it had told its lawmakers to abstain, saying parliament had not been given enough information about the mission's objectives, scope, duration, cost or risks to Egyptian troops. Al-Azhar's grand imam called on Sunday for an urgent mediation effort by Arab and Muslim leaders. Reuters noted the close financial ties behind the debate: Saudi Arabia has a $5.3 billion deposit at Egypt's central bank due this month, plus $267.39 million in interest. Egypt's EGX30 stock index, down early in the session on concern over military involvement, recovered to close 0.4 percent higher.

Egypt's presidency said on Sunday, October 18, that Egypt will provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and possible forms of support to defend its security and stability, protect its resources, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites. The statement followed a meeting of Egypt's National Defence Council chaired by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and attended by the parliamentary speaker, the prime minister and the army chief.

Parliament did not finish the authorisation on Sunday. A vote had been expected that day, but discussions were due to continue on Monday, October 19, two lawmakers and local media reports said, as reported by Reuters. Lawmakers speaking to AFP said the session was extended so all lawmakers could speak and express their views.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Saturday that Egypt would take any measures needed to defend Saudi Arabia if Riyadh asks for help, and he asked parliament to hold an emergency session on Sunday to give him that authority in advance.

Sisi spoke at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy. "It is inconceivable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or stability to be harmed," he said. He said Egypt was not looking to attack anyone, but was ready to act in defence.

"I know this requires the approval of the Egyptian parliament, and I ask that an emergency session be held so that it can give us that authorisation if we are asked," Sisi said. Parliament answered within hours. It said it would hold a plenary session at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, in response to the request, though it did not publish the agenda.

Why he spoke now

Yemen's Houthi movement, which is aligned with Iran, has stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent days, hitting Riyadh's international airport and the state oil company Saudi Aramco. Fighting has also restarted between the Houthis and the Saudi backed forces of Yemen's internationally recognised government after a truce fell apart.

Sisi said Egypt would act in line with guidance from Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The crown prince visited Sisi on September 15, after the fighting in Yemen reignited, and the two discussed security and shipping in the Red Sea.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close partners. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states gave Egypt billions in aid, deposits and investment after the military removed President Mohamed Morsi in 2013. Egypt also joined the Saudi led coalition that went into Yemen in 2015 to back the government against the Houthis.

The same speech set an end date for his presidency

Sisi used the same graduation speech to say that his time in office is settled. He said his presidential term will end in 2030, that the constitution will not be amended, and that the question "has been completely settled and will not be discussed."

Sisi, 71, is serving a six year term after winning re-election in December 2023. Changes approved in a 2019 referendum lengthened presidential terms from four years to six and let him run for a third term, which opened the way for him to stay until 2030. He first took power in 2013, when the military removed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, after mass protests.

He also set out a plan to prepare the people who come after him. Holders of doctorates from Egyptian and foreign universities would spend 30 months training at the military academy for leadership jobs from the presidency to ministries and parliament. A committee overseen by the speaker of parliament would set the selection rules and draft the law.

"I will not leave the Egyptian state except when it is replete with sons and daughters capable of assuming responsibility," he said.

What happens next

Parliament's debate, now extended into Monday, October 19, is the first test of how far Cairo is ready to go. An authorisation would not put Egyptian forces into action on its own, but it would give Sisi legal cover to move fast if Riyadh makes a formal request.

The war gave a mixed signal on the same day. In Sanaa, 159 people held over the conflict in Yemen were released with support from the Red Cross, which said the release was started by the authorities in Sanaa.