Parliamentary Approval of the Mandate
The Egyptian Parliament approved, last Monday, empowering President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to take defensive measures to protect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia if requested. The decision was ratified during a closed session, following discussions that lasted for days on October 18, 19, and 26, in response to the President's call for an emergency session. This decision comes amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia since July 2026, which have resulted in casualties, injuries, and material damage via ballistic missiles and drones.
Expected Military Support Pathways
Expectations indicate that potential Egyptian participation may follow three main pathways, including strengthening air defense, securing vital sites and facilities, and holy sites, as well as naval readiness to ensure the safety of navigation in vital passages such as the Bab al-Mandab. Naji al-Shahabi, head of the "Democratic Generation" party and member of the Egyptian Senate, affirmed that the mandate aims to enable Egypt to provide defensive support rather than launch an attack, stressing that the nature of the support and its implementation mechanisms are subject to undisclosed military assessments and plans between the two countries.
Reaffirmations of the Defensive Nature
For his part, Major General Qassam Mahmoud, former deputy chief of the Joint Staff of the Jordanian Army, clarified that the Egyptian constitutional procedures demonstrated the presence of the Arab national title as a deterrent message. He pointed out that determining actual military needs rests with the Kingdom based on its request, noting that comprehensive coverage of air defense for vital installations requires immense capabilities. He affirmed that this step grants the Egyptian leadership full authority to formulate contingency plans and deploy military sectors upon request.
Diplomatic and Historical Context
The Parliament's decision came in compliance with Article 130 of the Internal Regulations and the approval of two-thirds of the members, in line with Article 152 of the Constitution, which requires the opinion of the National Defense Council. The Egyptian National Defense Council had approved about two weeks ago to provide all necessary forms of support to Saudi Arabia. In the same context, President al-Sisi affirmed that the military effort is limited to defending territory and does not include launching an attack on Yemen, while the Egyptian Foreign Minister and an intelligence official made an official visit to Riyadh to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and convey a message of full solidarity.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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