El Sisi seeks parliamentary approval to defend Saudi Arabia if asked
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi called on parliament to convene an emergency session to authorise him to intervene in defence of Saudi Arabia if the kingdom asks. Egypt's House of Representatives announced it is to meet on Sunday. Saudi Arabia is facing attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, and fighting erupted in July after the Houthis announced a "maritime blockade" of Saudi ports and seized additional territory in Yemen.
Why it matters: The request makes parliamentary authorisation a condition for Egypt's role in regional security, linking Gulf defence to Cairo's national-security calculus.