Egypt's Sisi asks parliament for powers to defend Saudi Arabia against the Houthis

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Saturday asked his parliament for the power to send help to Saudi Arabia, saying Egypt could not stand aside while the kingdom came under Houthi attack.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy, Sisi said Egypt would take whatever protective steps were needed, acting on the guidance of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Any deployment needs parliament’s approval, and he asked lawmakers to give it in advance.

“It is inconceivable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or stability to be harmed,” he said. “I ask that an emergency session be held so that it can give us that authorisation if we are asked.”

Parliament later announced an emergency plenary session for Sunday without saying what was on the agenda.

Only for defence

Sisi went out of his way to say Egypt was not looking for a fight. “I’m not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone. We are speaking only about defence,” he said. Egypt has been part of the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen since 2015, and in September its presidency called Saudi and Gulf security “an integral part of Egypt’s national security”.

He also used the occasion to say he would not try to stay in office beyond 2030, calling the matter “completely settled”.

Cairo is the latest capital to line up behind Riyadh. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye signed a defence pact, the Mecca Alliance for Defence, in August, and this month agreed to activate deterrence measures and deploy forces to the kingdom. The United States has given intelligence, targeting help and aerial refuelling but has not joined the fighting; President Donald Trump has said he is weighing whether it should. On Friday he said Saudi Arabia should accept Israel’s offer of help, adding: “Israel has been very helpful to Saudi Arabia.”

Drones over Riyadh

The attacks did not let up while Sisi spoke. Air raid alerts sounded across the kingdom overnight and through Saturday. Late on Saturday the coalition’s spokesman, Turki al-Maliki, said: “We intercepted and destroyed four drones over the past few hours,” over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the south. On Friday the coalition said it had downed a ballistic missile aimed at the Red Sea port of Yanbu and two cruise missiles.

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has been attacked at least 20 times since fighting flared in July. The strikes this month have killed more than a dozen people and wounded more than 300. In Yemen, two Houthi missiles fell inside the grounds of Aden’s airport on Friday, the second such attack in a week, though no one was killed. Britain’s navy reported two tankers attacked near Jubail, with both crews unhurt, and Brent crude touched $110 a barrel.

Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of encouraging the Houthis. Tehran denies it, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran backs a “comprehensive political process”.

Indians in the kingdom

For the large Indian community in Saudi Arabia, travel remains difficult. Riyadh’s airport is still shut, though Dammam, Jeddah and Medina are operating. Air India and Air India Express have suspended all their Saudi routes until 20 October, and IndiGo until 24 October. Akasa Air has halted Riyadh flights until 24 October and Jeddah flights until 21 October.

The Indian Embassy has said two Indians hurt in the 10 October attack on Riyadh airport are still in intensive care. It has told Indian nationals to “stay indoors in case of aerial attack” and suggested that those who must leave urgently consider going via Bahrain, Kuwait or Qatar.