Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has moved to formalize Cairo’s potential military support for Saudi Arabia, calling for an emergency parliamentary session to authorize action if Riyadh requests assistance, Gulf News reported.
The announcement, made Saturday during a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy, signals Egypt’s willingness to assume a more direct role in "protecting Saudi territory" amid retaliatory strikes from Yemen.
El-Sisi framed any possible deployment as a defensive measure, rather than an attempt to widen the war on Yemen.
"We will take any action Saudi Arabia requests to defend its security and sovereignty," el-Sisi said, according to Egyptian media. "I call on parliament to convene an emergency session to grant us authorisation for such action if we are asked to undertake it."
The proposed authorization would establish a domestic political basis for intervention should Saudi Arabia formally request Egyptian assistance. El-Sisi stressed that Egypt was not seeking to initiate hostilities or attack another country.
The Egyptian president's remarks placed Saudi Arabia’s security at the center of his country's stated regional commitments. He pointed to the longstanding relationship between Cairo and the Gulf states, including the support Egypt has received from its regional partners.
"We must not forget the support our brothers in the Gulf have given Egypt," he declared. "We stand firmly behind and fully support the protection of our brothers' territories in the Gulf."
El-Sisi said any Egyptian action to defend Saudi Arabia would be guided by requests from King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
His appeal for parliamentary authorization comes alongside calls to end the fighting across the region. While presenting Egypt’s position as defensive, the prospect of military involvement would nonetheless mark a consequential step, potentially extending Cairo’s role beyond diplomatic statements of solidarity.
The precise scope of any intervention remains contingent on whether Riyadh requests assistance and what authorization Egypt’s parliament grants.
The ceremony also provided a platform for the Egyptian president to address domestic political questions. He said his presidency would end in 2030 and dismissed the prospect of constitutional changes to alter that timeline.
"This matter is completely settled," he declared.
El-Sisi said his priority was to preserve the Egyptian state and ensure that he handed over leadership with the country remaining strong.
He also emphasized the armed forces’ central role in safeguarding national security, describing the military as Egypt’s shield and sword. He characterized protecting the institution as a shared national responsibility.
Beyond the military, el-Sisi highlighted the family’s role in shaping individuals and strengthening society, arguing that public awareness, social cohesion, and national unity were essential to maintaining Egypt’s stability.