El-Sisi: Egyptian military support for Saudi Arabia limited to defending the Kingdom — no attacks on Yemen
Egypt's president says any Egyptian military backing for Saudi Arabia would defend the Kingdom's territory and borders only, ruling out strikes on Yemen, as parliament's authorisation vote is due on Oct 26.
CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said on Wednesday that any Egyptian military support for Saudi Arabia would be limited to defending the Kingdom’s territory and borders and “does not include an attack on Yemen.” (Arab News; Yeni Safak)
El-Sisi said Cairo would defend any other Arab state if asked, but not beyond Egypt or a fellow Arab state it sought to protect. He said “Arab national security is indivisible,” and that Egypt’s policy rested on noninterference and the rejection of engagement with armed militias. (Arab News)
The remarks came in a statement delivered by presidential spokesperson Mohammed El-Shennawy, reported during the “Security of the Nation and Citizens” session at the Egypt Forum 2026 in Cairo, attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly — two days after parliament postponed until Oct 26 its vote on authorising military assistance to Saudi Arabia. Constitutionally, deploying armed forces abroad needs National Defense Council consultation and a two-thirds parliamentary majority. (Arab News; Yeni Safak)
The statement lands amid intensified Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including an Oct 10 strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid airport that killed 13 civilians and injured 309. On Wednesday Washington ordered non-essential embassy staff and families out of Saudi Arabia. (Arab News; Times of Israel)
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and intelligence chief Hassan Rashad met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, where Abdelatty delivered a written message from El-Sisi to King Salman, SPA said. (Times of Israel)
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