Egypt is seeking to review President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's request for authorization of military intervention in support of Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks. This request is set to be voted on in the Egyptian parliament next week. This action could lead to Egypt's closer involvement in the escalating conflicts that began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in February.
Egypt's Support for Saudi Arabia
In his recent speech, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated, "Egypt will never forget its brothers in the Gulf" and told Saudi leaders that Cairo would take "any action to protect you." These remarks indicate a shift in Egypt's approach from a cautious stance to a more active position regarding the conflicts. Egypt, which has always been a strong supporter of its Gulf allies, has not publicly committed to a direct military role in these conflicts until now.
Read more: Gulf Cooperation Council Calls for Iran and the U.S. to Return to Negotiations
Security and Economic Concerns
Growing security concerns have also pushed Egypt towards adopting a more active stance. An attack in July on two gas ships in the Damietta port demonstrated that Egypt cannot fully separate itself from these conflicts. Additionally, Egypt's economic stability is heavily dependent on cooperation with Gulf oil-producing countries. Financial remittances from Egyptian workers in these countries are a significant source of foreign currency and income for families in Egypt.
Moreover, the Saudis and the United Arab Emirates are key financial supporters of el-Sisi, having provided billions of dollars in aid and investment to Egypt since the ousting of Mohamed Morsi in 2013. In his speech, el-Sisi noted, "We can never forget how our brothers in the Gulf countries stood by Egypt during that time."
Although the exact details of the type of Egyptian military forces that may be dispatched to these conflicts are still unclear, potential interventions are likely to include air and naval support. Egypt has previously sent its air and naval forces to the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen. Analysts suggest that the entry of another large military force into this conflict is unlikely to solve the Houthi issue on its own.
Read more: Emmanuel Macron Begins His Trip to the Gulf · Saudi Arabia: Closure of Offices and Deaths of Pilots at the Yemen Border
