Egypt’s parliament has officially authorised President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia as attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement intensify. The House of Representatives approved the mandate during a parliamentary session, granting the Egyptian leader the authority to undertake necessary measures to defend the kingdom should Riyadh request formal assistance.

This strategic move raises the distinct possibility of Egypt becoming more directly entangled in the volatile conflict that has engulfed the Gulf region and the Red Sea corridor in recent weeks. Analysts note that while the vote serves as a reassuring signal of Cairo's commitment to its key economic partner, significant uncertainties remain regarding the precise nature of the assistance Riyadh might demand and how Egypt would execute it.

The decision follows a series of Houthi strikes targeting Saudi critical infrastructure, including the international airport in Riyadh and facilities belonging to the state oil conglomerate Aramco, which have disrupted regional aviation and energy exports. Furthermore, security disruptions near the Bab al-Mandeb strait directly threaten maritime traffic destined for the Suez Canal, severely impacting vital Egyptian state revenues.

President el-Sisi has asserted that any potential Egyptian military involvement would strictly be confined to protecting Saudi territory and borders rather than launching offensive operations inside Yemen. Under the Egyptian constitution, deploying troops abroad for combat missions requires a stringent two-thirds parliamentary majority, highlighting the gravity of the decision as international actors, including the United Nations, continue to urge maximum regional restraint.

Source: www.aljazeera.com