Egypt's parliament delays vote on sending military help to Saudi Arabia until October 26
President Sisi wants approval to answer any Saudi request for defence assistance against the Houthis. A two-thirds majority is needed to send troops abroad, and an opposition party says MPs lack basic information.
At a glance
- Egypt's House of Representatives postponed to October 26 a vote that would let President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi approve any Saudi request for defence assistance against the Houthis.
- Sisi says Egypt will take 'any measure' to protect its Gulf allies but that 'we're talking only about defence'; the National Defence Council approved the plan.
- Sending troops on a combat mission abroad requires a two-thirds majority in parliament under Egypt's constitution.
- The opposition Egyptian Social Democratic Party told its MPs to abstain, saying the mission's goals, length, cost and risks are unclear.
Egypt is weighing whether to send military help to Saudi Arabia as Yemen's Houthis step up attacks on the kingdom. The House of Representatives in Cairo has postponed until October 26 a vote that would allow President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to approve any Saudi request for defence assistance.
What is being decided
| Measure | Authorise President Sisi to approve any Saudi request for defence help |
| Requested by | Saudi Arabia, after Houthi attacks on the kingdom |
| Approved by | Egypt's National Defence Council, chaired by Sisi |
| Vote | Postponed from October 19 to October 26, 2026 |
| Required majority | Two-thirds of parliament, for any combat mission abroad |
What Sisi said
Sisi said Egypt would take "any measure" needed to protect its Gulf allies, but stressed: "We're talking only about defence." Egypt has one of the largest armies in the Middle East, as well as air-defence systems and naval forces in the Red Sea.
Opposition concerns
The opposition Egyptian Social Democratic Party told its lawmakers to abstain, saying parliament had not been given enough information about the mission's objectives, duration, cost and risks to Egyptian troops. The party has about a dozen seats, and some of its MPs said they support the measure anyway — so the vote is still widely expected to pass.
The attacks behind the request
- Houthi strikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on October 10 killed 13 people, according to Saudi authorities.
- The Houthis claim attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities and other energy and military sites.
- Saudi Arabia has postponed its flagship FII investment conference and several sporting events.
Why Egypt is involved
- Money: Saudi Arabia is due to deposit $5.3 billion in Egypt's central bank this month, plus about $267 million in interest.
- Remittances: millions of Egyptians work in Saudi Arabia and send money home.
- Suez Canal: Egypt's foreign minister says the canal has lost about $11 billion since the Houthis began attacking ships in the Bab el-Mandeb strait in 2023.
- Energy: the regional war has cut Middle East oil and gas supplies that Egypt relies on.
Analysts say Cairo does not want to be seen as an ally that "stood aside while others defended the kingdom". Egypt's main stock index fell early on Monday over fears of military involvement before closing slightly higher.
The wider alliance
Pakistan and Türkiye have already made pledges to Riyadh under the Makkah defence pact signed in August, and Pakistan's military says it is providing Saudi Arabia with military support. The Grand Imam of al-Azhar has urged Arab and Muslim leaders to mediate to prevent further bloodshed, and Iran says it has offered to broker talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis without receiving a reply.
What happens next
Parliament votes on October 26. If approved, Sisi could decide on any Saudi request for help — which may include air defence, naval support or troops.
Questions people are asking
Is Egypt sending troops to Saudi Arabia?
Not yet. Parliament has delayed until October 26, 2026, a vote that would authorise President Sisi to approve any Saudi request for defence assistance. Sisi says any help would be defensive only.
Why does Saudi Arabia want Egypt's help?
Yemen's Houthis have escalated missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Riyadh's airport that killed 13 people and claimed attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities.
Which countries have pledged to defend Saudi Arabia?
Pakistan and Türkiye have made pledges under the Makkah defence pact signed in August, and Egypt is now considering its own defence support.
