The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Egypt weighs sending troops to Saudi Arabia in war with Iran-backed rebels
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting airports and oil infrastructure.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi asked Parliament to authorize a defensive military mission to defend Saudi Arabia amid intensified attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels targeting airports and oil infrastructure.
Al-Sisi said the operation would be defensive and only carried out if Saudi Arabia requests assistance. Parliament approval is required for deploying Egyptian forces abroad, in line with Egypt's constitutional process.
The National Defense Council met to discuss regional escalations and the attacks on Saudi Arabia, with a pledge to provide support to defend Saudi security, stability, and territorial integrity.
A session of Parliament was convened to vote on the resolution, but the decision was postponed to the following Monday after initial scheduling and partial abstentions by the Egyptian Social Democratic Party citing concerns about mission scope, costs, and protections for deployed forces.
Analysts cited by CBS News emphasized that Egypt has historically pledged Gulf security support, and that choosing to intervene could shift regional influence; some warn of broader regional threats beyond the Houthis, while others question the immediate necessity and readiness of Egyptian military engagement.