Egypt Weighs Saudi Defense Mission as Yemen War Resurfaces

Egypt is considering a military mission to help defend Saudi Arabia against intensifying attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi seeks parliamentary authorization for a possible deployment. The proposal, discussed by Egyptian officials in October 2026, has revived concerns about the military, financial and strategic consequences of becoming involved in another conflict across the Red Sea.

The proposed assistance would be defensive and contingent on a request from Riyadh, according to al-Sisi. Houthi attacks have targeted Saudi airports and oil infrastructure, prompting Cairo to consider a more direct role in protecting its regional ally.

Egypt's Constitution requires the president to consult the National Defense Council and secure approval from two-thirds of Parliament before sending armed forces abroad on a combat mission. The council met on Sunday and reviewed what the presidency described as the grave escalations unfolding in the region and the unacceptable attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The council pledged all necessary and possible forms of support to the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to defend its security and stability, and to safeguard its resources, territorial integrity, and Islamic holy sites.

Al-Sisi had outlined the conditions for Egyptian involvement during a military graduation ceremony on Saturday.

"Egypt will take any measures requested by Saudi Arabia to protect and defend it," al-Sisi said.

Parliament held an emergency session on Sunday, with a vote initially expected on Tuesday. Lawmakers subsequently postponed the decision until the following Monday, leaving the proposed deployment unresolved.

The Egyptian Social Democratic Party directed its parliamentary bloc to abstain, saying it lacked sufficient information about the mission's scope, costs, and risks, as well as the arrangements in place to protect Egyptian forces. The objections highlighted uncertainty over the operation's limits and the safeguards available to deployed personnel.

Retired army brigadier and political and strategic analyst Samir Ragheb argued that Egypt should fulfill its longstanding commitments to Gulf security. He told CBS News that regional partners expected practical assistance rather than declarations of support.

"Egypt has repeatedly pledged to support the security of the Gulf states and has issued numerous statements reaffirming this commitment. However, this is a time of war, not politics and statements. If Egypt fails to deliver on these promises, they will lose their meaning and amount to nothing more than empty threats," Ragheb said.

He also pointed to the financial relationship between Egypt and Gulf countries as a reason for Cairo to assist Saudi Arabia.

"The Gulf states have invested billions of dollars in Egypt. Morally, it's Egypt's turn to return the favor," Ragheb said.

Ragheb warned that the threat extended beyond the Houthis, citing Iran, Iraqi militias and sleeper cells inside Saudi Arabia. He also argued that Egypt risked losing regional influence if it declined to participate in the kingdom's defense.

"Egypt is not going to defend the kingdom against the Houthis. The threat is much bigger than the Houthis. This includes Iran, Iraqi militias and sleeper cells within the kingdom itself," Ragheb said.

He maintained that a failure to intervene could weaken Cairo's position in regional security affairs.

"If you want to be a regional player, you must play a role. Otherwise, you will lose your seat at the table," Ragheb said.

Ragheb also argued that Washington's refusal to attack the Houthis in support of Saudi Arabia had created a security gap that Arab countries should help fill. He described a Saudi defense agreement with Turkey and Pakistan, signed in August and known as the Mecca Accords, as evidence that Riyadh was pursuing alternatives to reliance on the United States.

"Even before Saudi Arabia asked for Egyptian support, the Mecca Accords was a death certificate for the idea of relying on America for any form of defense," Ragheb said.

The proposal has also revived memories of Egypt's intervention in North Yemen after the September 26, 1962, overthrow of Imam Muhammad al-Badr by officers led by Abdullah al-Sallal. President Gamal Abdel Nasser backed the republican government, while Saudi Arabia supported royalist forces seeking to restore the monarchy.

What began as a limited deployment expanded substantially. According to the historical account published by Ynet News, Egypt's contingent grew from a few hundred commandos in October 1962 to approximately 70,000 troops by the summer of 1965. The campaign drained military resources, imposed financial costs and contributed to tensions with international partners.

Thousands of Egyptian soldiers died, although estimates vary. Egyptian forces also used poison gas during the conflict, with a May 1967 memorandum to U.S. President Lyndon Johnson documenting further attacks. Egypt eventually withdrew its forces in 1967, while Yemen's civil war continued until 1970.

Historians Eugene Rogan and Tewfik Aclimandos have argued that the intervention weakened Egypt's readiness for the Six-Day War against Israel in June 1967. Historian Jesse Ferris has also linked the Yemen campaign to economic pressure, diplomatic difficulties and strategic miscalculations. However, historian Asher Orkaby has challenged claims that the intervention played a decisive role in Egypt's defeat, emphasizing the importance of other military and political failures.

The present proposal differs from Nasser's campaign. The mission under consideration concerns the defense of Saudi territory, with reports pointing to air defense and logistical support rather than a ground offensive inside Yemen. Egypt also contributed air and naval forces to the Saudi-led coalition in 2015.

Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti invoked Egypt's earlier experience in Yemen during an interview with Al-Araby television, warning Cairo against renewed military involvement. The historical comparison has become part of the debate as Egyptian lawmakers prepare to reconsider authorization for the proposed Saudi defense mission.