Sisi asks Egypt’s parliament to prepare for possible Saudi defence request

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called for an emergency parliamentary session on Sunday to authorize defensive assistance to Saudi Arabia if Riyadh requests it. His statement came amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Sisi said Egypt would not seek to attack anyone but would take measures needed to defend Saudi security and sovereignty.

The distinction between authorization and action is central. Reuters and Egypt’s Ahram Online reported no Saudi request and no Egyptian deployment at the time of publication. Parliament is being asked to establish authority for a possible response, not to approve a mission whose form, scale or timetable has already been disclosed.

Egypt’s presidency has described Saudi and Gulf security, Red Sea navigation and Egyptian national security as interconnected. Cairo has also condemned the Houthi attacks and maintained diplomatic coordination with Riyadh. A parliamentary vote would signal political readiness, but the practical consequences depend on whether Saudi Arabia asks for help and what assistance it seeks. Until those conditions are met, the development is a significant regional commitment rather than confirmation that Egyptian forces are entering the conflict.