The Egyptian Parliament will soon vote on President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's request to grant permission to the armed forces to intervene in the Yemen crisis. This action could lead Egypt towards direct military involvement in the conflicts that have arisen following the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in February.
Historical Background
In his recent speech, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emphasized that Egypt will never forget its brothers in the Gulf and informed the leaders of Saudi Arabia that Cairo is ready to take any necessary actions to support them. These statements indicate a shift in Egypt's approach, which had previously not publicly committed to direct involvement in conflicts. However, the increasing attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia and threats stemming from the war in Iran have heightened Egypt's security concerns.
Read more: The Gulf Cooperation Council Calls for the Houthis to be Designated as a Terrorist Group
Economic and Security Dimensions
Egypt's economic stability is heavily dependent on financial resources from oil-rich Gulf countries. Remittances from Egyptian workers in these countries are a significant source of foreign currency and income for families back home. Additionally, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are key financial supporters of el-Sisi, having provided tens of billions of dollars in aid and investment since he came to power.
Analysts believe that security and economic concerns are intertwined. An airstrike on two gas ships in the port of Damietta, Egypt, in July demonstrated that Cairo cannot completely distance itself from the conflicts. This has led Egyptian officials to conclude that they cannot remain indefinitely on the sidelines of this crisis.
On the other hand, both Egypt and Saudi Arabia have shared interests in ensuring the security of shipping in the Red Sea. This area is a crucial route for Saudi oil exports, and Egypt earns billions of dollars annually from the passage of ships through the Suez Canal. Therefore, Saudi security is considered part of Egypt's national security.
Type of Egypt's Military Participation
Egypt possesses one of the largest armed forces in the Arab world, with hundreds of thousands of active personnel and air, land, and naval equipment. The country typically sources its military equipment from various countries, and its air force includes U.S.-made F-16s, French Rafales, and Russian-made MiG-29s. Egypt also receives about $1.3 billion in military aid from the United States annually, which helps in purchasing American military equipment.
It is important to note that el-Sisi's statements regarding the type of military forces that may be sent to Yemen are unclear. However, analysts believe that the deployment of ground troops into Yemen seems unlikely, and there is a greater possibility that naval and air support will be discussed.
Read more: The Gulf Cooperation Council Designates Yemen's Ansar Allah as a Terrorist Group · Meeting of Sergey Lavrov and Faisal bin Farhan in Manama
