CAIRO, Egypt | October 19, 2026 | Egypt’s National Defense Council has pledged to provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and possible forms of support to defend its security and territorial integrity amid escalating missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, raising the prospect of deeper Egyptian involvement in the regional conflict.
The council, chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at Al-Ittihadiya Palace on October 18, reaffirmed Egypt’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and said Cairo would intensify diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and pursue peaceful solutions. The Egyptian presidency said the council viewed Saudi security as closely linked to Egypt’s national security and that of the wider Arab region.
The announcement followed el-Sisi’s call for parliamentary authorization to provide defensive military assistance if Saudi Arabia formally requests it. The council did not disclose specific military commitments, troop deployments or a timetable for assistance.
The decision comes amid renewed fighting involving the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, an Iran-aligned movement that controls Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other areas. Houthi attacks targeting Saudi territory and critical infrastructure have heightened concerns about civilian safety, energy supplies and international shipping routes in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia has been a central player in Yemen’s conflict since leading a military coalition in 2015 to support the internationally recognized government against the Houthis, who seized Sanaa in 2014. Years of fighting have caused widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis. Efforts to secure a lasting political settlement have repeatedly encountered obstacles.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia maintain longstanding political, economic and security ties. Their shared interest in protecting Red Sea navigation is particularly significant because the waterway connects to the Suez Canal, a major route for global trade. Any expansion of military involvement could complicate efforts to contain the conflict and protect commercial shipping.
Egypt’s National Defense Council said Cairo would continue working with regional and international partners to reduce tensions and pursue peaceful solutions. The extent of any military assistance will depend on subsequent decisions and developments, including the outcome of the parliamentary authorization process.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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