Egypt to Provide Support to Saudi Arabia Amid Houthi Attacks
Source reports published 18 Oct 2026, 8:23 pm – 19 Oct 2026, 5:22 am AEST
Egypt’s top security body agreed to support Saudi Arabia in defending itself against Houthi attacks in Yemen. Egypt is providing support to protect Saudi Arabia’s security and resources, and is intensifying diplomatic efforts for de-escalation.
What happened
- Egypt’s National Defense Council, chaired by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, announced its support for Saudi Arabia’s defense against Houthi attacks.
- This followed recent attacks by Houthi rebels on Riyadh’s international airport and Saudi Aramco, alongside ongoing fighting in Yemen.
- The Egyptian parliament was called to authorize deployment of troops and military equipment abroad.
- Simultaneously, a Saudi helicopter gunship crashed near Najran, killing its crew due to a technical malfunction.
- In Yemen, a separate airstrike conducted by Saudi-led forces resulted in at least nine deaths, including five children and two women, in Saada.
- The Houthi-run Health Ministry attributed the attack to Saudi Arabia.
- Egypt’s presidency stated that the country’s security is integral to Egypt’s national security, and that it is eager to prevent Iran and its allies from gaining control over maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
Original reporting
- Al Jazeera: Egypt to provide ‘necessary’ support to Saudi Arabia amid Houthi attacks
2026-10-18T10:23:38+00:00 - PBS NewsHour: Egypt's top security body agrees to help Saudi Arabia defend itself against Houthi attacks
2026-10-18T19:22:43+00:00 - New York Times World: Egypt’s Defense Chiefs Pledge to Support Saudi Arabia After Houthi Attacks
2026-10-18T15:00:02+00:00