Egypt offers Saudi Arabia full support after Houthi attacks
Egypt said on October 18, 2026, that it is ready to provide "all necessary and possible support to Saudi Arabia to defend its safety and stability" amid continued attacks by Yemen's Houthis, Al Jazeera.
The statement came from Egypt's National Defence Council, a top security body chaired by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The council said Egypt "stands fully with" Saudi Arabia in defending its resources, territorial integrity and Islamic holy sites. A separate statement from Egypt's presidency said Cairo would help defend Saudi security and protect its resources.
The pledge followed attacks in the days before October 18 on Riyadh's international airport and on Saudi Aramco, carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels during renewed fighting in Yemen. Saudi Aramco is the kingdom's major oil company, and Riyadh's airport is the main air gateway to the Saudi capital.
In a speech on Saturday, el-Sisi said Egypt would act in accordance with guidance from Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. His office also said Cairo would intensify diplomatic efforts for de-escalation, meaning talks and contacts aimed at reducing the fighting.
Regional diplomacy around the attacks had already been under way. On September 22, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye held a consultative meeting and strongly condemned all attacks against Saudi Arabia, including recent Houthi attacks, according to Egypt's State Information Service.
In August, Egypt had sought to distance itself from one Houthi targeting incident at sea. On August 13, its Transport Ministry denied reports that the vessel TIHAMA, targeted by the Houthis, was Egyptian or registered in Egypt.
