Key facts
- Egypt ready to provide Saudi Arabia with necessary support.
- President Sisi requested parliament authorize military aid to Saudi Arabia.
- Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, including on its airport and Saudi Aramco.
- Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close strategic and economic partners.
- Egypt previously joined the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
Egypt is prepared to offer Saudi Arabia the support it requires to safeguard its security and stability, the Egyptian presidency announced on Sunday. This statement comes as Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis have escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for an urgent parliamentary session to grant authorization for the military, one of the largest in the Arab world, to assist Saudi Arabia if the kingdom requests it. Discussions regarding this parliamentary vote were expected to continue on Monday, according to lawmakers and local media. The Houthis have recently targeted Riyadh's international airport and the state oil giant Saudi Aramco amidst renewed fighting in Yemen following the collapse of a truce. The Egyptian presidency stated that Egypt would provide "all necessary and possible forms of support" to defend Saudi Arabia's security, stability, resources, territorial integrity, and Islamic holy sites. This declaration followed a meeting of Egypt's National Defence Council chaired by Sisi. Sisi had previously indicated on Saturday that Egypt would act in accordance with guidance from Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who visited Sisi on September 15 after fighting in Yemen reignited. Egypt and Saudi Arabia share close strategic and economic ties, with Saudi Arabia having provided significant financial aid and investments to Egypt after the 2013 ouster of President Mohamed Morsi. Egypt had previously participated in the Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen in 2015, though its combat role was limited.