According to a report by Reuters on October 18th, a spokesman for the Egyptian presidential palace stated in a statement that the Egyptian Defense Council had decided to provide support to Saudi Arabia in order to help Saudi Arabia maintain national security and stability.
On the 18th, an emergency meeting was held under the chairmanship of Egyptian President Hosni Mousawak, with senior officials including the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and military leaders attending. A statement said that Egypt has decided to provide Saudi Arabia with 'all necessary and possible support' to help Saudi Arabia 'defend its security and stability, protect its resources and territorial integrity'.
The Egyptian National Defense Council stated that Saudi Arabia's national security is closely related to Egypt's and other Arab countries' national security. Egypt will continue to intensify political and diplomatic efforts, coordinate with regional and international parties, strive to cool down the region's situation, and resolve the crisis peacefully.
The previous day, Sisi spoke about Egypt being prepared to protect Saudi Arabia from attacks by the Yemeni Houthi forces. He called for an emergency meeting of parliament in order to authorize such actions if necessary.
For a long time, Egypt has avoided military involvement in ongoing regional conflicts, instead seeking to play a mediating role. After the Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015, Egypt joined the coalition, but its role in military operations was limited. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are close strategic and economic partners. Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia have provided Egypt with billions of dollars in aid, as well as bank deposits and investments.
