Egypt seeks parliament approval to aid Saudi Arabia militarily
Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 17 Oct, 19:08 · Archive
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi seeks parliamentary authorisation to provide military assistance to Saudi Arabia if requested.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has called for an emergency parliamentary session to authorise him to approve any requests from Saudi Arabia for defence assistance. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy on Saturday, el-Sisi said Egypt will 'carry out any measure to protect' Saudi Arabia 'in accordance with the directives of His Majesty King Salman and the directives of the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman'. He stressed that the authorisation would be for defence only, saying 'I am not speaking in order for us to fight anyone or attack anyone. I am speaking only for defence.'
The pledge comes amid escalating attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Saudi Arabia. Recent Houthi strikes have targeted key infrastructure on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh. An attack on King Khalid International Airport earlier this month killed 13 people, described as the deadliest strike in over a decade. Houthi attacks have also been reported on airports including Dammam, Abha, Jazan and Najran.
Egypt's parliament is expected to hold an emergency session on Sunday to consider the authorisation. El-Sisi previously backed Saudi calls for secure navigation in the Red Sea during a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo, stating that 'the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states is an integral part of Egypt's national security'.
How it is being reported
- Egypt prepared to defend Saudi Arabia after deadly Houthi airport attackEgyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said his country’s military is prepared to protect Saudi Arabia from escalating attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis, raising the prospect of a wider regional conflict after a deadly strike on a Riyadh airport killed 13 people, including an American.New York Post · 17 Oct, 20:31
- Egypt's Ssisi says he'll defend Saudi Arabia, if askedThe Egyptian president said his country was ready to defend Saudi Arabia "if requested." The comments come amid escalating Houthi attacks.DW News · 17 Oct, 18:49
- Egypt’s el-Sisi vows to defend Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacksEgyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has vowed to take 'any measure' to defend Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks.Al Jazeera · 17 Oct, 17:49
- Egypt’s Sisi seeks authorisation for defence assistance to Saudi ArabiaEgyptian president pledges 'any measure' to help defend Saudi Arabia 'if it is requested of us'.Al Jazeera · 17 Oct, 15:00
In this story: Abdel Fattah el-Sisi · Saudi Arabia · Egypt · Houthis · Yemen · King Salman · Mohammed bin Salman
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
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