Egypt delays vote on military support for Saudi Arabia until 26 October
The opposition Egyptian Social Democratic Party instructed its lawmakers to abstain, saying parliament had not been given sufficient details about the mission’s “objectives, duration, cost, or the risks to Egyptian troops”
Egypt's parliament has delayed a vote on authorising military support for Saudi Arabia until 26 October 2026, prolonging debate over whether President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi should send troops to help Riyadh counter attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The House of Representatives adjourned its second session on Monday. The National Defence Council approved the move on Sunday, but Egypt's constitution requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority to authorise troops for an overseas combat mission, says Al Jazeera.
The opposition Egyptian Social Democratic Party instructed its lawmakers to abstain, saying parliament had not been given sufficient details about the mission's "objectives, duration, cost, or the risks to Egyptian troops". Members of parliament indicated that most of the party's lawmakers personally supported the measure.
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The Grand Imam of al-Azhar called on Arab and Muslim leaders to "mediate Egypt's parliamentary decision and avert further bloodshed".
El-Sisi stresses defensive role
The proposed military support follows Houthi missile and drone strikes on Riyadh's international airport and Saudi state oil company Saudi Aramco. An attack on the airport on 10 October killed 13 people.
El-Sisi has said Egypt would take "any measure" necessary to protect its Gulf partners, while stressing that the proposed role would be defensive.
"I'm not talking about confronting or attacking anyone... We're talking only about defence," he said.
Economic ties weigh on decision
Saudi Arabia plays a significant role in supporting Egypt's fragile economy. Plans call for Riyadh to deposit $5.3 billion into Egypt's central bank, alongside $267.39 million in interest. Egypt also relies heavily on remittances from citizens working in Saudi Arabia's energy sector.
Political analyst Thomas Bonnie James said Houthi attacks in the Bab al-Mandeb strait had severely affected Egypt's revenue, with the Suez Canal losing approximately $11 billion since 2023.
James said Egypt wanted to avoid being seen as the regional ally that "stood aside while others defended the kingdom".
Turkiye and Pakistan pledge support
The parliamentary debate comes as Turkiye and Pakistan have pledged assistance to Saudi Arabia following the activation of the joint Mecca defence pact, signed in August.
