Egypt’s House of Representatives will convene a plenary session at 1 p.m. on Sunday, 18 October 2026, following a request from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi to authorize potential Egyptian defensive assistance to Saudi Arabia, according to a parliamentary announcement.
The session follows El-Sisi’s remarks at the graduation ceremony of the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital on Saturday, where he affirmed Egypt’s readiness to take the necessary measures to protect Saudi Arabia if Riyadh formally requests assistance.
The president stressed that any such action would require parliamentary approval, calling for an emergency session to grant the necessary authorization should Saudi Arabia seek Egyptian support.
“We do not want to fight or attack anyone. We will only defend Saudi Arabia,” El-Sisi said, emphasizing that Egypt’s position was focused on defense rather than aggression.
He also reiterated Egypt’s commitment to the security of Gulf countries and expressed appreciation for the support provided by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait during Egypt’s economic difficulties following the 2011 uprising.
Regional Security and Egyptian-Arab Relations
El-Sisi’s latest remarks came after he stated on Thursday that threats to Saudi Arabia directly affected Egyptian and broader Arab national security.
His position is consistent with previous discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which the Egyptian president reaffirmed Cairo’s support for the kingdom’s security and stability.
Egypt has also condemned renewed Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, warning that such developments threaten regional security and stability.
The planned parliamentary session highlights the importance Cairo attaches to Saudi security and the wider stability of the Gulf region. However, any Egyptian defensive involvement would depend on a formal request from Riyadh and the required constitutional and parliamentary authorization.
The developments come amid continued regional security concerns and underscore the strategic ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, as well as Cairo’s stated commitment to safeguarding Arab national security.
