CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi said on Wednesday that Cairo's proposed military support for Riyadh was to "defend Saudi territory, and does not include an attack on Yemen," according to a statement from his office.

 

At a government event titled Egypt Forum 2026, Sisi said the "objective is to defend the kingdom's lands and borders, as well as those of any other Arab state, should it be requested of Egypt," his spokesman said in a statement.

 

"Egyptian military operations do not extend beyond the borders of Egypt or those of any sisterly nation," he added.

 

Sisi on Saturday asked parliament to authorise support for Saudi Arabia in its war with the Houthis, "if requested".

 

He said it was "inconceivable" for Cairo to stand by as Riyadh's security and stability were threatened.

 

Egypt's parliament has since held two rare secret sessions, and postponed deliberations until next week.

 

The Houthis seized Yemen's Red Sea coastline in September and have since launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, including state oil giant Aramco and Riyadh's international airport.

 

This week again Egypt's foreign minister Badr Abdelatty has been in contact with Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi, who has said that Egypt's potential involvement would make the situation "more difficult".

 

"Egypt has sufficient experience to avoid entangling itself in such a highly complex conflict," Araghchi said in an interview with Iraqi state broadcaster Al Iraqiya aired on Tuesday.

 

He added that Egypt has said it "will not enter Yemen or engage in a war against Yemen".