As parliament approves, what's driving Egypt's 'defensive' support to Saudi Arabia?
Egypt, which has one of the region's largest militaries, is reliant on Saudi investment and ties the kingdom's security to its own.
Egypt's decision to authorize military support for Saudi Arabia reflects Cairo's growing concern that Houthi attacks could further destabilize the Red Sea, threatening a vital source of foreign currency while putting pressure on one of its most important financial backers. The move signals a willingness to help defend the kingdom without committing Egypt to a broader military intervention in Yemen.
'Defensive support'
On Monday the Egyptian Parliament approved a measure requested by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to provide “defensive support” to the kingdom if Riyadh requests it. The decision followed closed-door parliamentary deliberations on Oct. 18 and 19, state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram reported. Sisi requested the authorization, which required support from two-thirds of members of parliament, on Oct. 17.
The Egyptian parliament typically goes along with the president's agenda in a system that's largely autocratic.
