At a military academy graduation on Cairo's outskirts on Saturday, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt is prepared to help protect Saudi Arabia as it faces Houthi strikes from Yemen. He added that support would follow a formal request from Saudi Arabia's king or its crown prince. "I hope that the parliament will meet in an emergency session to give us this authorization if that is requested," he said.
Sisi underlined that any role would be limited to defense. "We're talking about for defense only," he said, noting he does not aim to "fight someone or attack someone." Sisi has routinely denounced strikes aimed at Saudi Arabia as well as other states in the Gulf, and he explicitly tied Egypt's security to the stability of the Persian Gulf. The country of around 110 million has so far stayed out of the ongoing Iran war and the Houthis' campaign, while trying to play a mediating role.
On speculation about staying beyond his current term, Sisi said there is no plan to amend the constitution to allow an extension past 2030. He added that Egypt is capable of "producing people a hundred times better than me, providing that we work on preparing, educating and qualifying them to shoulder the responsibility."
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If Egypt moves toward formal defense coordination with Saudi Arabia, it could shift risk perceptions across the Gulf energy corridor that underpins global oil supply. A defensive posture also suggests Cairo remains focused on stability at home while maintaining ties with Gulf partners.
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