Egypt pledges full support for Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks intensify

Egypt's National Defence Council pledged on October 18, 2026, to provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and possible support to defend its security and territorial integrity, following escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi chaired the council meeting at Cairo's presidential palace, affirming that Saudi Arabia's national security is inextricably linked to Egyptian and Arab national security. The statement came as Egypt's parliament convened in an emergency closed session to authorise El Sisi to deploy forces abroad if requested by Riyadh, requiring a two-thirds majority vote.

The decision follows a week of deadly Houthi missile and drone strikes on Saudi airports and cities, including attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that killed at least 20 people between October 6 and 12. Yemen's Houthi spokesman warned Cairo that military intervention would pose a grave danger to Egypt's national security. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement in August, with Egypt now considering membership amid growing regional security concerns as the conflict in Yemen expands into a wider confrontation involving Iran-backed forces.

Sources

The National, Egypt pledges support for Saudi Arabia as Houthis warn Cairo against military intervention, October 18, 2026, thenationalnews.com; Associated Press via Washington Times, Egypt's top security body agrees to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacks, October 18, 2026, washingtontimes.com; Egyptian Streets, Egypt's National Defense Council Pledges Support for Saudi Arabia, October 18, 2026, egyptianstreets.com; Al Jazeera, Egypt to provide 'necessary' support to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks, October 18, 2026, aljazeera.com; Wikipedia, October 2026 Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian airports, accessed October 19, 2026, en.wikipedia.org