Egypt's Sisi Asks Parliament for Authority to Meet Any Saudi Defence Request

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at a military academy graduation that he hopes parliament will convene an emergency session to authorise him to carry out "any measure" to protect Saudi Arabia if Riyadh requests defence assistance. He stressed that he was not speaking of fighting or attacking anyone, only of defence. Al Jazeera reported that the request follows attacks by Yemen's Houthis on Saudi airports and oil facilities.

Al Jazeera says a Houthi attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport earlier this month killed 14 people and wounded more than 300. Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of encouraging the attacks, which Tehran rejects, and Iran has offered help to end the conflict. Egyptian media reported by Iranian outlets say parliament is due to hold an extraordinary session on Sunday.