Egypt's Ssisi says he'll defend Saudi Arabia, if asked

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi says his country will defend Saudi Arabia if asked.

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Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi has stated that his country is prepared to defend Saudi Arabia if requested. This announcement comes amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi targets, including strikes on energy facilities and Riyadh's main airport.

Sissi made the comments at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian military academy, where he emphasized that Egypt is not seeking a role in regional conflicts. However, he stated that it is 'inconceivable' that Egypt would allow Saudi Arabia's security or stability to be harmed.

The Egyptian leader noted that any measure to protect or defend Saudi Arabia would require the approval of the Egyptian parliament. He has asked for an emergency session to be held on Sunday to consider authorizing potentially assisting in Saudi Arabia's defense.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia share strong strategic and economic ties, and Egypt was part of the Saudi-led coalition that stepped in 2015 to support the Yemeni government against the Houthis. Disruption in the Red Sea as a result of Houthi attacks has impacted the revenue coming from shipping traffic in the Suez Canal.

The Houthi attacks have been ongoing since 2015, when Saudi Arabia stepped into Yemen's civil war to lead a military coalition against the Iran-backed fighters. The Houthis have launched repeated attacks against Saudi Arabia, including a recent attack that killed 13 people, the deadliest in the country in over a decade.