Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi said on Saturday that his country was ready to defend Saudi Arabia if asked to do so.
Sisi said that while Egypt “does not seek to play a role” in regional conflicts, it is “inconceivable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or its stability to be put at risk.”
The comments come as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi targets, including strikes on energy facilities and Riyadh’s main airport.
‘We only talk about defence,’ says Sissi
“Egypt, of course, under the directives of His Majesty King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will take all measures to protect or defend you,” Sisi said during a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian military academy.
“I’m not talking about fighting or attacking anyone,” Sissi said. “We’re just talking about defense.”
“I know that this requires the approval of the Egyptian parliament, and I request that an emergency session be held so that they can give us this authorization if we are asked,” the Egyptian leader said.
An emergency session of the Egyptian Parliament is expected to be held on Sunday to examine whether to authorize possible defense assistance to Saudi Arabia.
Houthi-Saudi conflict
The Houthis have been in conflict with Saudi Arabia since the kingdom entered Yemen’s civil war to lead a military coalition against Iran-backed fighters in 2015.
The Houthis have launched repeated attacks against Saudi Arabia, also attacking Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
A week ago, one of these attacks killed 13 people, in what was the deadliest in the country in more than a decade.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia share strong strategic and economic ties. Egypt was part of the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in 2015 to support the Yemeni government against the Houthis.
Disruptions in the Red Sea resulting from Houthi attacks have impacted revenues from maritime traffic in the Suez Canal.
Editing: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez
Don’t let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for reliable reporting, please take a moment to select us as your preferred source on Google by clicking here and hitting the “star” or “favorite” button
Gn world
