Key facts
- Egypt advocates diplomatic solutions to the Yemen conflict.
- Egyptian parliament to vote October 26 on authorizing military support for Saudi Arabia.
- Egypt's support would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders.
- Houthis have intensified clashes and attacked Saudi airports and oil facilities.
- Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint at the Red Sea's mouth.
Egypt's foreign minister stated on Thursday that the country is exploring all diplomatic avenues to resolve the conflict in Yemen, ahead of a parliamentary vote scheduled for October 26. The vote will determine whether Egypt authorizes its armed forces to support Saudi Arabia against the Iran-aligned Houthis. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has indicated that any Egyptian military involvement would be defensive, focused on protecting Saudi territory and borders, rather than offensive operations in Yemen. The Houthis have intensified clashes since pushing towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September, a critical maritime chokepoint, and have subsequently attacked Saudi airports and oil facilities. Egypt previously joined the Saudi-led coalition in March 2015, primarily as a naval partner securing Red Sea shipping lanes, and deployed ground troops but played a limited combat role.