Egypt agrees to support Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 19:31 · Archive

Egypt's top security body has agreed to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in its conflict with Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Egypt's National Defence Council, chaired by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has agreed to provide 'all possible forms of support' to Saudi Arabia in its fight against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, according to a presidential statement. The announcement came a month after a visit by the Saudi crown prince, and el-Sissi has subsequently called for parliament to grant him authorisation to deploy troops and military equipment abroad.

The Houthis have repeatedly attacked Saudi airports and oil infrastructure with drones and missiles capable of changing direction in flight. At least nineteen people have been killed in the escalating conflict, thousands of flights have been affected and global markets have been rattled. Saudi Arabia has also been pressing other regional allies for military assistance.

The surge in fighting has threatened civilians in both countries. In Yemen, an airstrike on Sunday killed at least nine people, including five children and two women, in the rebel-held northern province of Saada, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry. Yemen's interim capital, Aden, has seen both its airport and a government palace attacked in the past week as the country has seen a return to civil war.

How it is being reported

• Egypt's top security body agrees to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacksEgypt's top security body says it has agreed to support Saudi Arabia in its fight against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.Clickorlando · 18 Oct, 19:16
• Egypt's top security body agrees to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacksEgypt's top security body says it has agreed to support Saudi Arabia in its fight against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.News4Jax · 18 Oct, 19:16

In this story: Egypt · Saudi Arabia · Yemen · Houthis · Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi · Iran

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem