Egypt Prepared to Defend Saudi Arabia After Deadly Houthi Attack

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced that his country's military is prepared to defend Saudi Arabia against escalating attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis, signaling a potential expansion of the regional conflict. The declaration follows a Houthi strike on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10, which resulted in 13 fatalities, including an American citizen.

"It is inconceivable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or stability to be harmed," el-Sisi stated on Saturday at the Egyptian Military Academy. He indicated Egypt's readiness to join the conflict if requested by Saudi Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. In preparation, Egypt's parliament scheduled an emergency session for Sunday to authorize military actions in defense of Saudi Arabia.

The ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis began in 2014 when the rebel group seized Yemen's capital. Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition supporting the Yemeni government. While a UN-brokered ceasefire in 2022 had de-escalated tensions, the conflict reignited in July, following the US-Israeli war in Iran. The Houthis have also imposed a blockade on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, disrupting Saudi oil exports.

Recent Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure have heightened concerns among Arab leaders about a potential full-blown regional war. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting and destroying four drones targeting Riyadh and other regions on Saturday. The Houthi group also struck the headquarters of Saudi state-run oil facility Aramco earlier in the week, causing damage but no casualties.

Iran has reportedly provided the Houthis with training, intelligence, and assistance with drone targeting. In response to the deadly airport attack, U.S. President Trump indicated that the United States might also intervene, stating, "We may. We're going to look at it." Trump also suggested the possibility of Turkey joining such efforts.