Egypt moving to deploy troops to Saudi Arabia against the Houthis

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has requested authorization from his country's parliament to send military assistance to Saudi Arabia in the fight against the Houthi rebels. This is reported by the Jerusalem Post, citing official sources.

Any direct Egyptian military support could mark a serious escalation in the broader conflict with Iran, which has already threatened global energy supplies and driven up oil prices. The request comes amid rising regional tensions.

Sisi's move follows meetings between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, held just as Houthi attacks continue. Among these was a recent missile attack on the presidential palace complex in Aden, Yemen, which caused five casualties.

The current crisis has its roots in the Yemeni civil war, which began in 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi rebel movement seized control of the capital Sana'a. A coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened militarily in 2015 to support the internationally recognized Yemeni government, sparking a long and bloody conflict.

Regional tensions escalated further on February 28, 2026, when Israel and the United States launched operations "Roaring Lion" and "Epic Fury," with the stated goal of creating conditions for a regime change in Iran. On that occasion, an Israeli attack killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior Iranian military commanders. Iran responded with missile strikes across the Middle East.

Since then, the conflict has expanded, involving regional actors and threatening vital trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, where further escalation could paralyze global oil traffic. The potential entry of Egypt, a regional military power, represents a significant escalation that risks further transforming the nature of the confrontation.