Egypt parliament approves military support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks

Egypt's parliament authorized military support for Saudi Arabia on Monday to help defend the kingdom against intensified attacks by Yemen's Iran-allied Houthis. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had asked parliament last week to approve the measure, which could draw Cairo directly into the regional conflict. The Houthis' advances threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial gateway to Egypt's Suez Canal. Egypt has previously condemned Iranian-backed attacks on Gulf countries but has not engaged in direct combat. The country joined the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in 2015 primarily as a naval partner, providing air support and deploying around 800 ground troops in a limited combat role. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that Egypt advocates exploring diplomatic opportunities to resolve the conflict.