# Egypt Offers Defensive Military Support to Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Attacks

> Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has expressed readiness to provide defensive military support to Saudi Arabia, seeking parliamentary approval after a surge in Houthi attacks killed dozens at Saudi airports.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-18T11:43:49.728553Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/egypt-offers-defensive-military-support-to-saudi-arabia-amid-houthi-attacks-44ee82ee

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared on October 18, 2026, that Egypt is prepared to offer defensive military support to Saudi Arabia if Riyadh requests it, following Houthi attacks that caused 17 deaths and 333 injuries at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh [2][3][5][7][9]. President el-Sisi also stated he would seek parliamentary authorization for any deployment, emphasizing that potential intervention would be strictly defensive [1][3][16].

This commitment from Egypt could alter the regional conflict dynamics, potentially broadening direct involvement in a Yemen conflict that has escalated significantly in recent months. The intensified attacks have affected critical infrastructure and resulted in civilian casualties in Saudi Arabia, prompting a strong response from Cairo.

## Egyptian Support Pledged

President el-Sisi's announcement was made on October 18, 2026, following increased Houthi aggression against Saudi targets [1][2][3]. The National Defense Council, chaired by President el-Sisi, convened and pledged "all necessary and possible forms of support" to Saudi Arabia [19]. The council affirmed that Saudi national security is directly linked to Egyptian and Arab national security [19]. This pledge reinforces Egypt's solidarity with Saudi Arabia, citing historical ties between the two nations [19]. President el-Sisi stated that Egypt is not looking to intervene in regional wars, but added it was "inconceivable" for Cairo to stand by while the kingdom was "charmed or its security and stability threatened" [16]. He clarified, "I'm not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone, we are speaking only about defense" [16].

## Escalating Houthi Attacks

The decision from Cairo follows a significant intensification of the conflict in Yemen since July 2026 [10][15]. Houthi forces resumed attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting energy facilities and airports [10][16][18]. These attacks have resulted in numerous casualties. At King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, 17 people were killed and 333 injured [5][7][9]. Abha International Airport also suffered attacks, resulting in 3 deaths and 28 injuries [5][9]. The Saudi-led military coalition reported that Houthis attempted to strike dozens of Saudi airports, seaports, and oil facilities [5][7]. One attack on Riyadh's airport last week killed 13 people [16][17]. The Houthi attacks in July included declaring a blockade on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea and targeting Saudi airbases and an Aramco oil refinery [15][18]. A United Nations-brokered ceasefire in April 2022 had largely held for over four years, before collapsing in July 2026 [10][17]. The conflict reignited after disputes concerning flights linking Houthi-controlled Sanaa with Iran [10].

## Calls Against Intervention

Houthi-affiliated officials have appealed to Egypt not to intervene militarily. Yahya al-Rai, speaker of Yemen's House of Representatives, sent an urgent message to his Egyptian counterpart, Hisham Badawi [10][11][12]. Al-Rai warned that Egyptian military involvement could further complicate the situation in Yemen and affect regional stability [11][12][13][14]. He urged Cairo to support efforts toward a political settlement in Yemen instead of military action [11][12][13]. Al-Rai accused Saudi Arabia of abandoning previous de-escalation efforts and escalating military operations in Houthi-controlled areas [11][14].

## What we could not confirm

It is not yet confirmed if Saudi Arabia has formally requested military support from Egypt. The specific nature and scale of any potential defensive military support Egypt might provide remain unclear. The timeline for parliamentary authorization in Egypt and its potential impact on the conflict's duration or intensity have also not been confirmed.

## Evidence cited
1. What help can Egypt offer Saudi Arabia in the war against the Houthis? (www.aljazeera.com) — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/18/what-help-can-egypt-offer-saudi-arabia-in-the-war-against-the-houthis?traffic_source=rss
2. Egypt to provide ‘necessary’ support to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks (www.aljazeera.com) — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/18/egypt-to-provide-all-necessary-and-possible-support-to-saudi
3. Egypt’s President Says He Will Leave Office in 2030 (www.nytimes.com) — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/17/world/middleeast/egypt-president-el-sisi-term-limits-2030.html
4. UAE agrees with Saudi Arabia to re-enter Yemen conflict amid Houthi gains (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/17/uae-yemen-conflict-agreement-saudi-arabia-houthi-gains
5. (October 15 2026) RIYADH — The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said on Thursday that the country's Houthi movement had attempted to strike dozens of Saudi airports, seaports, and oil facilities, as hostilities between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi Arabia intensified. The Houthis have launched ballistic missiles and armed drones against strategic Saudi targets over the past week, in retaliation for the kingdom's military backing of government forces in Yemen's reignited civil conflict. T — https://middle-east-online.com/
6. (October 15 2026) Saudi-led coalition says Yemen's Houthi rebels attempted to attack dozens of facilities in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen has reported increased Houthi attacks targeting civilian infrastructure across Saudi Arabia. Recent strikes have resulted in fatalities and injuries at key sites, including King Khalid International Airport. The coalition spokesperson emphasized the threat posed to civilians and condemned the Houthi actions, urging them to cease oper — https://economictimes.com/
7. (October 15 2026) The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen said on Thursday that the country's Houthis had attempted to attack dozens of Saudi airports, ports and oil facilities, as fighting between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi Arabia intensified. The Houthis have been firing ballistic missiles and drones at key Saudi sites for a week, in response to the kingdom's backing of government forces in Yemen's renewed civil war. The coalition's latest statement highlighted the risk to Saudi civili — https://boereport.com/
8. (October 11 2026) Amid wider Iran war, Yemen's Houthis are also striking Saudi oil infrastructure, as compounding Middle East conflicts threaten to expand. October 10, 2026 at 9:08 p.m. EDTYesterday at 9:08 p.m. EDT. 9 min. Summary. A blaze at a facility belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco is seen Oct. 3, south of Riyadh. (AFP/Getty Images). By Rachel Chason. ,
Mohamad El Chamaa. and.
Suzan Haidamous. At least 12 people were killed — including one American — and more than 300 injured in an attac (washingtonpost.com) — https://washingtonpost.com/
9. (October 15 2026) Yemen's Houthis fired missiles at the presidential palace complex in the southern city of Aden on Thursday, killing five people, the government said, while the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen detailed dozens of attacks on Saudi infrastructure in the escalating conflict. The ‌attack was the first in the current conflict between the Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi Arabia on Aden's al-Maashiq palace, the seat of Yemen's Saudi-backed and internationally recognized government. The confl (cbc.ca) — https://cbc.ca/
10. (October 18 2026) Yahya al-Rai, head of the Houthi-affiliated legislature in Yemen, voiced concern in an urgent message to his Egyptian counterpart Hisham Badawi that Cairo could join military action against the group in support of Saudi Arabia. Houthi-affiliated SABA news agency reported that Rai sent the urgent message to Badawi. Pointing to Cairo's regional role, Rai said, “We categorically reject dragging Egypt, the pioneer of the Arab world and of history, into a war that is in no way compa — https://turkiyetoday.com/
11. (October 18 2026) This Holiday Season Invest in Truth. Yahya Ali al-Raee, speaker of Yemen's House of Representatives, appealed to Egypt on Saturday not to enter the conflict militarily, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. In a letter to Egyptian House of Representatives Speaker Hisham Badawi, al-Raee urged Cairo to support efforts toward a political settlement in Yemen instead. He accused Saudi Arabia of abandoning previous deescalation efforts and escalating military operations in Houthi-contro (themedialine.org) — https://themedialine.org/
12. (October 17 2026) SANAA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Yahya Ali al-Ra'i, speaker of Yemen's House of Representatives, on Saturday urged Egypt not to become militarily involved in the escalating conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. In a letter to Egyptian House of Representatives Speaker Hisham Badawi, Yahya Ali al-Ra'i called on Cairo to refrain from military involvement and instead support efforts toward a political settlement in Yemen. In the letter, he accu (news.cn) — https://news.cn/
13. (October 17 2026) SANAA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Yahya Ali al-Ra'i, speaker of Yemen's House of Representatives, on Saturday urged Egypt not to become militarily involved in the escalating conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. In a letter to Egyptian House of Representatives Speaker Hisham Badawi, Yahya Ali al-Ra'i called on Cairo to refrain from military involvement and instead support efforts toward a political settlement in Yemen. In the letter, he accu (bignewsnetwork.com) — https://bignewsnetwork.com/
14. (October 18 2026) BÁO LAO ĐỘNG. Cơ quan của Tổng Liên Đoàn Lao Động Việt Nam Tiếng nói của Công nhân Viên chức lao động Việt Nam. Society · Media · Sports · Business · News · Union · Culture - Entertainment · Real estate · Health · World · Car + · New display. Yemen calls on Egypt not to intervene militarily in the conflict between Houthi and Saudi Arabia. Ngọc Khuê | 18/10/2026 17:31. The Yemeni Parliament Speaker called on Egypt to avoid military involvement in the conflict between the Houthi  (laodong.vn) — https://laodong.vn/
15. (October 17 2026) After weeks of U.S. strikes, the Houthis agreed to stop attacking American ships. But they continued to target Israel, which responded with its own strikes later in 2025, killing the Houthi prime minister along with other senior officials and repeatedly hitting a key port. The Houthis largely kept to the sidelines in the first several months of the Iran war, but in July, they resumed attacks on Saudi Arabia and declared a blockade on Saudi shipping. Any lasting defeat would req (pbs.org) — https://pbs.org/
16. (October 18 2026) Since Yemen's conflict flared back to life in July after a years-long hiatus, Saudi Arabia has faced sustained Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting its oil installations, tankers and transit hubs, including one on Riyadh's airport last week that killed 13 people. A spokesman for the Saudi coalition said on Saturday that it had “intercepted and destroyed four drones over the past few hours in the regions of Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the South.”
... (japantimes.co.jp) — https://japantimes.co.jp/
17. (October 15 2026) When did the Houthis and Saudi Arabia begin fighting again? A cease-fire brokered by the United Nations in April 2022 largely held for over four years, before collapsing in July. The Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia had launched strikes on Sanaa Airport, targeting a Houthi delegation returning from Iran. In a move they framed as retaliatory, the Houthi rebels launched ballistic missiles toward Saudi Arabia. “The Houthis saw this as a golden opportunity to change the balance of powe (time.com) — https://time.com/
18. (October 13 2026) They continue to have a strong relationship with Tehran and sent a delegation to the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. But they also have their own agenda. Seven years of conflict with Saudi Arabia between 2015 and 2022 caused immense suffering in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen, and an economic and transport embargo has continued since. Ultimately, that led the Houthis in July to declare they would attack Saudi shipping in the Red Sea – and the campaign of missil (cnn.com) — https://cnn.com/
19. (October 18 2026) Egypt's defense council pledges 'all forms of support' to defend Saudi Arabia amid escalating Houthi attacks. National Defense Council says Saudi national security is linked to Egyptian, Arab national security. Sahin Demir. 18 October 2026•Update: 18 October 2026. Content media. ISTANBUL. Egypt's National Defense Council on Sunday pledged to provide Saudi Arabia with “all necessary and possible forms of support” to defend its security and stability amid escalating Houthi attack (aa.com.tr) — https://aa.com.tr/
20. (October 18 2026) CAIRO – 18 October 2026: Egypt's House of Representatives will hold a plenary session at 1 p.m. on Sunday, after a National Defense Council meeting, led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, pledged support to Saudi Arabia's security early today. The council decided to “provide all necessary and possible forms of support to Saudi Arabia to defend its security and stability, safeguard its resources and territorial integrity, and protect the Islamic holy sites,” the Presidency said  (egypttoday.com) — https://egypttoday.com/
21. (October 18 2026) CAIRO, Oct 18: Egypt has pledged to provide Saudi Arabia with “all necessary and possible forms of support” to defend its security and stability amid escalating attacks by Yemen's Houthi group against the kingdom. The pledge was announced by Egypt's National Defense Council following a meeting chaired by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the presidential palace in Cairo on Sunday. According to a statement issued by Egypt's State Information Service (SIS), the council reviewed w (arabtimesonline.com) — https://arabtimesonline.com/
22. (October 18 2026) The Secretary-General of the National Defense Council was also in attendance. The official spokesperson for the Presidency of the Republic, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the meeting of the National Defense Council was dedicated to reviewing and discussing the full range of current regional developments. The meeting also addressed the dangerous and unprecedented escalation taking place in the region—particularly in light of the intensifying, unacceptable, and conde (voiceofemirates.com) — https://voiceofemirates.com/
23. (October 18 2026) Egypt's potential involvement would mark a possible expansion of its role in the confrontation. Although Cairo is part of the Saudi-led coalition, its contribution has largely focused on protecting Red Sea maritime security rather than direct combat in Yemen. Egypt's parliament is scheduled to hold an emergency session on Sunday at Sisi's request. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of encouraging the Houthis' escalation, an allegation Tehran denies.
... (thevibes.com) — https://thevibes.com/
24. (October 18 2026) Egyptian state media later reported that parliament would hold an emergency session on Sunday at Sisi's request to consider possible support for Saudi defences. Egypt joined the Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen in 2015, though its role has largely focused on securing Red Sea shipping routes rather than frontline combat. The renewed conflict also threatens Egypt's economic interests, particularly Suez Canal revenues. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month  (dawn.com) — https://dawn.com/
25. (October 13 2026)  Egypt ready with 'any kind of support' for Saudi Arabia to tackle Houthis 
 
  * Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty says 'of course we will respond' when asked if Cairo will offer military help to the Kingdom.  
  * Egypt will not accept 'aggressions or attacks on Saudi Arabia' and offers full support and solidarity.  
... (arabnews.com) — https://arabnews.com/
26. (October 18 2026) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is seeking parliamentary approval to authorise support for Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, an armed group also known as Ansar Allah. It follows weeks of strikes on Saudi infrastructure, including multiple attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid Airport that killed at least 17 people. Saudi authorities have blamed the Houthis. Sisi said it is “absolutely inconceivable” to see Saudi Arabia harmed, and urged everyone in the Gulf to stop the war. H (youtube.com) — https://youtube.com/