Egyptian Parliament Pushes Back Vote on Military Aid to Saudi Arabia
Egypt’s House of Representatives has postponed a vote on whether to allow its armed forces to assist Saudi Arabia, moving the decision to Oct. 26. The delay extends the debate over Egypt’s possible involvement in the Yemeni war, where Saudi Arabia faces growing attacks from the Iran‑aligned Houthi rebels.
The opposition Social Democratic Party instructed its deputies to abstain, arguing that parliament has not received enough details about the mission’s goals, length, cost or the risks to Egyptian troops. Although the party controls just under a dozen seats, two members told AFP that most of its lawmakers are inclined to support the proposal.
Parliament must give President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi the authority to act on any Saudi request for defence help after recent Houthi strikes on Riyadh’s international airport and the state oil company Saudi Aramco. Saudi officials say the airport attack on Oct. 10 killed 13 people.
El‑Sisi said on Saturday that Egypt would take “any measure” needed to protect its Gulf allies, stressing that the country is prepared for defence, not for launching attacks. After the National Defence Council, chaired by el‑Sisi, approved the plan on Sunday, the constitution requires a two‑thirds majority in parliament to send troops abroad on a combat mission.
The Grand Imam of al‑Azhar appealed to Arab and Muslim leaders on Sunday to mediate the parliamentary decision and prevent further bloodshed. Saudi Arabia remains a key financial partner for Egypt, slated to deposit $5.3 billion into the central bank this month along with $267.39 million in interest.
Egypt’s EGX30 index slipped early on Monday amid worries about possible military involvement but managed to close 0.4 percent higher. Nematallah Choucri, head of research at HC Securities, told Reuters that geopolitical developments are the main driver of recent market losses. The country also feels the impact of reduced oil and gas exports caused by the United States’ conflict with Iran and the fighting in Yemen.
Remittances from Egyptians employed in Saudi Arabia’s hydrocarbons sector are another vital source of income for the economy. Political analyst Thomas Bonnie James warned that the Houthi threat to Saudi Arabia also endangers the Suez Canal, which Egypt’s foreign minister says has lost about $11 billion since the Houthis began striking the Bab al‑Mandeb strait in 2023 in solidarity with Gaza. James added that Egypt does not want to be perceived as the regional ally that “stood aside while others defended the kingdom”.
Turkey and Pakistan have also pledged support after activating the Mecca defence pact with Riyadh, a treaty signed in August amid the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.