official (Egypt House of Representatives statement on its closed sessions of Oct 18, 19 and 26, 2026) · media (Dar al Hilal and Al Nahar, statement text; EgyptToday; The National; Reuters; AP)
Egypt's parliament clears Sisi to defend Saudi Arabia and its holy sites
The last vote is in. After three closed sessions, Egypt's parliament has given President Abdel Fattah El Sisi the authority he asked for to go to Saudi Arabia's defense.
Key facts
- Decision
- Authorization for the President to take the necessary measures to support Saudi Arabia, after coordination between the two countries, to defend its territory, sovereignty and holy sites against any external aggression (House statement)
- Majority
- Two thirds of the House's members (House statement). No tally was published (reported by The National and AP)
- Sessions
- Closed sessions on Oct 18, 19 and 26, 2026, called by the Speaker, Counselor Hisham Badawi, at the President's request (House statement)
- Present
- Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Hany Hanna and Maj. Gen. Khaled Shehdy, assistant defence minister for constitutional and legal affairs (House statement)
- Basis
- In line with what the National Defence Council agreed at its session of Oct 18, 2026 (House statement)
- Vote
- By roll call, as reported by EgyptToday and The National
- Saudi request
- None formally announced yet, The National reports
to defend its territory, sovereignty and holy sites against any external aggression
Egypt House of Representatives statement, Oct 26 2026 (our translation from the Arabic)
Note
Egypt's House of Representatives said on Monday that it had approved, by a two thirds majority of its members, authorizing the President to take the necessary measures to support Saudi Arabia, after coordination between the two countries, to defend the kingdom's territory, sovereignty and holy sites against any external aggression.
The statement said the Speaker, Counselor Hisham Badawi, called members into closed sessions on Oct 18, 19 and 26 at the request of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, with the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Hany Hanna, and Maj. Gen. Khaled Shehdy, the assistant defence minister for constitutional and legal affairs, in attendance. It said a large number of MPs from across the parties and independents spoke on the regional situation and its effect on Egyptian and Arab national security, and that the decision follows what the National Defence Council agreed at its session on Oct 18.
Under Egypt's constitution, the president may not send the armed forces on a combat mission outside the country without first consulting the National Defence Council and winning the approval of two thirds of the House, EgyptToday notes. The House did not publish a tally. The final vote was held by roll call, EgyptToday and The National reported.
Not every party was on board. The Egyptian Social Democratic Party told its MPs to abstain, citing the economic cost and the risk of regional escalation, according to The National. Reuters reported that Sisi has said Egypt's support would be limited to defending Saudi territory and borders rather than attacking Yemen.
No formal Saudi request has been announced, The National reports. Sisi asked for the mandate on Oct 17 and said Egypt would act only if the kingdom asks. The next move is Riyadh's.
Why it matters
Egypt's constitution bars the president from sending the armed forces on a combat mission abroad without consulting the National Defence Council and winning the votes of two thirds of the House. Both steps are now done. What Egypt sends, and when, now rests with the president and with any request from Riyadh.
Sources
- Egypt House of Representatives: statement on its closed sessions of Oct 18, 19 and 26, 2026, on measures to support Saudi Arabia (press statements page, Oct 26 2026)
- Dar al Hilal: full text of the House of Representatives statement (Arabic, Oct 26 2026)
- Al Nahar: text of the House of Representatives statement (Arabic, Oct 26 2026)
- EgyptToday: Egypt's House approves authorizing president El Sisi to support Saudi Arabia (Oct 26 2026)
- The National: Egypt's parliament authorises El Sisi to send troops to defend Saudi Arabia (Oct 26 2026)
- Reuters via Al Monitor: Egypt approves military support for Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks escalate (Oct 26 2026)
- AP: Egypt's parliament authorizes military support for Saudi Arabia (Oct 26 2026)
Primary + secondary attribution as listed.
More: Armed conflict
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