Egypt's Sisi says ready to defend Saudi Arabia if requested, pending parliamentary approval Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el Sisi says Cairo is ready to defend Saudi Arabia if requested, but any deployment would require parliamentary approval amid Houthi attacks. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi said on Saturday that Egypt is ready to defend Saudi Arabia if requested, as fighting intensifies between the kingdom and Yemen's Houthi militia. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian military academy, Sisi said any Egyptian deployment would require parliamentary approval. The remarks come amid repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi targets and a blockade of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Sisi offers defence support to Saudi ArabiaSisi said it was inconceivable for Cairo to stand by while Saudi Arabia was harmed or its security and stability threatened. He said Egypt, with the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, would carry out any measure to protect or defend the kingdom.The Egyptian president stressed that Egypt was not looking for a role to play in regional conflicts. He said he hoped lawmakers would convene an emergency session to grant authorisation if it is requested of Egypt.Sisi added that he was not talking about fighting or attacking anyone. He said the discussion was only about defence.Houthi attacks threaten Red Sea navigationSince Yemen's war reignited in July, the Houthi militia has repeatedly attacked Saudi targets. These include energy facilities and Riyadh's international airport, where 13 people were killed in a single attack last week.The Houthi militia has also blockaded the Bab al-Mandab Strait, adding pressure on energy exports. Iran maintains its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.During a visit to Egypt last month, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sisi called for free and secure navigation in the Red Sea, a vital trade route.Suez Canal revenues and regional alliancesThe conflict threatens both Saudi Arabia's security and energy exports and Egypt's revenues from the Suez Canal, a key source of foreign currency. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said last month that disruptions had cost the canal about 11 billion dollars in revenue since the Houthi militia began attacking commercial vessels in 2023, when Israel began its war on Gaza.Despite its longstanding military ties with Gulf states, Egypt has not joined the Mecca agreement, a mutual defence pact signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan in August.Sisi's remarks signal Egypt's willingness to support Saudi Arabia while seeking constitutional safeguards. Any military deployment would depend on parliamentary authorisation, which Sisi said he hoped lawmakers would grant if requested.