Egyptian forces could come to Saudi Arabia’s aid within hours if Egypt’s parliament authorises defence assistance, a defence analyst has told Al Jazeera.
Alexandru Hudisteanu, a maritime security specialist, says Egypt could deploy its military to the Red Sea, send warships to Saudi ports or even relocate assets to Saudi territory.
Hudisteanu said counter-drone and anti-missile support was the most likely form of assistance Cairo could provide, to help reinforce Saudi Arabia’s defences.
Egypt’s parliament will convene this afternoon in an emergency parliamentary session on President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s request.
On Saturday, el-Sisi said his country would carry out “any measure to protect” Saudi Arabia if Riyadh requested assistance.
The Egyptian president backed Saudi calls for secure and unhindered navigation in the Red Sea in a meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo last month, reports AL Jazeera.
