Egypt is considering authorising military support for Saudi Arabia as fighting involving Yemen’s Houthi movement places new pressure on the kingdom and the strategically important Red Sea region.
Egypt’s parliament is expected to consider the issue on 26 October after lawmakers postponed an earlier decision to allow further deliberation.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi requested an urgent parliamentary session on the question.
Egyptian officials have stressed that any military support would be defensive.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad travelled to Riyadh this week carrying a message from Sisi to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
According to Reuters, Egypt told the Saudi leadership that any Egyptian military role would be limited to protecting Saudi territory and borders rather than conducting attacks inside Yemen.
At the same time, Cairo is calling for renewed diplomatic efforts to end the fighting.
Egypt has a direct strategic interest in the conflict because Houthi advances have approached the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the narrow waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Ships travelling between the Indian Ocean and Egypt’s Suez Canal must pass through this route.
Any serious disruption at Bab el-Mandeb can therefore affect international shipping as well as Egyptian revenue from the Suez Canal.
Egypt joined the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen in 2015 but has generally maintained a limited combat role, concentrating principally on naval security in the Red Sea.
The Houthis have warned Egypt against becoming directly involved.
WHAT WE KNOW: Egypt has not announced a new offensive in Yemen. Parliament is considering authorisation for military support, while the Egyptian government says any involvement would be defensive and continues to call for a political settlement.
SOURCE:
