Egypt's parliament delays vote on military support for Saudi Arabia; debate set to resume on 19 October

Egypt's parliament on 18 October postponed its vote on President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's request for authority to give Saudi Arabia military support if the kingdom asks for it, two lawmakers told AFP. Deliberations were set to continue on 19 October, and Egyptian media reported the debate would run into 20 October.

Lawmaker Ibrahim Kholeif said the session was extended "to give all lawmakers the opportunity to speak and express their views". Another lawmaker, Maha Abdel Nasser, said proceedings would continue "to allow all lawmakers to be heard". Both said no details had been discussed on what form Egyptian support could take.

The session was the emergency sitting that Sisi had asked for, which Fica News reported on 17 October. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy that day, Sisi said Egypt would take every necessary measure to defend Saudi Arabia, that any action would be defensive and that it would need parliamentary approval. The House of Representatives was due to meet at 13:00 local time on 18 October.

The National Defence Council, chaired by Sisi, met earlier on 18 October. Its statement pledged support for Saudi Arabia's security and did not mention troops, the UAE-based news outlet The National reported. Mostafa Bakry, a member of the House of Representatives, said on X that the council had approved sending forces on a defensive mission.

Under Article 152 of Egypt's constitution, the president must consult the National Defence Council and win the approval of two-thirds of the House of Representatives before sending the armed forces on a combat mission outside the country. Parliament has a pro-Sisi majority and is widely expected to approve the request, The National said. Approval would not by itself mean troops would be deployed.

Bakry said parliament would spend three days on the request, with a vote expected on 20 October, the Egyptian news site Egypt Daily News reported.

The Houthis, the Yemeni movement that has been attacking Saudi Arabia, warned Cairo against intervening. Yahya Ali al-Rai, speaker of the Houthi-run parliament in Sanaa, which is not internationally recognised, said Egyptian involvement would pose a "grave danger" to Egypt's national security. The Turkish news site Türkiye Today reported that he also sent a warning letter to his Egyptian counterpart.

Maj Gen Turki Al Malki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, said on 15 October that the Houthis had launched 20 attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh since 1 October.