Egypt’s Parliament Authorizes Saudi Military Support for Defense

Egypt’s House of Representatives on Monday authorised President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to take the necessary measures to support and defend Saudi Arabia, clearing the way for possible Egyptian military assistance if Riyadh requests it.

MPs approved the mandate in a closed session chaired by Speaker Hisham Badawi in the New Administrative Capital, meeting the two-thirds majority the constitution requires, local media reported.

Under its terms, the president can take the necessary steps, in coordination with Saudi Arabia, to defend Saudi territory. The vote does not mean Egyptian forces have been deployed.

Article 152 of Egypt’s constitution names the president supreme commander of the Armed Forces, but bars him from declaring war or sending forces on a combat mission abroad without first consulting the National Defence Council and securing the approval of two-thirds of MPs.

Article 130 of the House’s internal regulations requires the vote to take place in an urgent, closed session held at the president’s request.

El-Sisi asked for the mandate on Saturday 17 October, during a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy. “It is inconceivable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or stability to be harmed,” he said, adding that Egypt was not seeking to attack anyone and would act only in defence and only if asked.

The National Defence Council, chaired by El-Sisi, met the following day and decided to offer Saudi Arabia all necessary and possible forms of support to defend its security and stability, its resources, its territorial integrity and the Islamic holy sites. The council also called for continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions across the region.

Parliament held closed sessions on 18 and 19 October before adjourning the vote to 26 October.

On 21 October, speaking at the Egypt Forum 2026, El-Sisi said any Egyptian military effort would be limited to defending Saudi Arabia’s territory and borders, and would not include attacks on Yemen. He said Egypt would also help defend the territory of any other Arab state that asked.

The mandate follows weeks of Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. As of 18 October, the Saudi-led coalition said more than 19 people had been killed and 364 injured in attacks on the kingdom’s airports this month.

An Egyptian woman was among those killed in the 10 October attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.