Egyptian parliament clears troops to defend Saudi borders

For the first time since the 1991 Gulf War, Egyptian forces have received explicit parliamentary approval to engage in combat operations on foreign soil. The move authorizes the military to assist Saudi Arabia in defending its territory against attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia, marking a concrete escalation in Cairo's role in the regional conflict.

The authorization responds to a request from President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi made the previous week. He sought legislative backing to deploy assets if Riyadh asked for help against the Iran-backed Houthis. This decision allows Egypt to move beyond its traditional stance of condemning such attacks without direct engagement, placing one of the region's largest armies into a defensive posture on behalf of its key financial partner.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty traveled to Riyadh on Wednesday to deliver a formal letter of support to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The document outlines the scope of the aid, specifying that Egyptian efforts will focus on defending Saudi territory and borders rather than launching offensive operations in Yemen. Abdelatty stated after the meeting that Cairo remains committed to exploring every opportunity for a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing crisis.

The Houthis have intensified their strikes in recent weeks, targeting critical infrastructure in the Gulf kingdom. Attacks have reached Riyadh's international airport and facilities of the state oil giant, Saudi Aramco, disrupting flight schedules and energy exports. These operations threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital waterway that feeds traffic into the Suez Canal, which is central to Egypt's economic stability.

Cairo has maintained a cautious military presence in the region since 2015, when it joined the Saudi-led coalition primarily as a naval partner. At that time, Egypt sent warships to secure Red Sea shipping lanes and deployed approximately 800 ground troops, though it played a limited combat role. This new mandate represents a significant departure from that restrained approach, allowing for a more active defense of Saudi Arabia.