Egypt backs Saudi Arabia amidst rising Houthi attacks

Egypt's National Defense Council pledged on Sunday, during a meeting chaired by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, to provide Saudi Arabia with "all necessary and possible" support to safeguard the kingdom's security, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites amid escalating attacks by Yemen's Houthi group.

In a statement released by the presidency, the council described Saudi national security as "closely linked to Egyptian and Arab national security" and called the escalating strikes against the kingdom unacceptable.

Meanwhile, it decided to continue and intensify political and diplomatic efforts, in coordination with relevant regional and international parties, to contribute to "de-escalating tensions across the entire region and achieving peaceful resolutions to ongoing regional crises."

The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the parliament speaker, prime minister, defense minister, foreign minister, interior minister, intelligence chief and senior military commanders.

On Saturday, Sisi said Egypt was prepared to take "any measures" requested by Saudi Arabia to defend the kingdom's security and sovereignty, but stressed that such action "requires parliamentary approval."

He called for an emergency parliamentary session to authorize intervention if requested, while stressing that he was speaking "strictly in terms of defense" rather than waging war.