The Indivisible Alliance: Egypt Pledges Full Support to Saudi Arabia Against Houthis

Egypt has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Saudi Arabia‘s security and sovereignty, pledging unreserved support for the Kingdom amid the recent Houthi attacks.

The Egyptian declaration is more than a diplomatic posture; it underscores the deep strategic alignment between Riyadh and Cairo and their interconnected security and economic interests in an increasingly turbulent region.

Cairo’s Unequivocal Support

Driving the News: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized Cairo’s full readiness to provide “any kind” of support to Riyadh “without any reservation,” as the Kingdom faces continued attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

The Big Picture: In an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, saying that Cairo stands firmly with Riyadh in defending its security and stability.

In His Words: “Saudi Arabia’s national security is an integral part of our national security and the national security of the Arab World.” – Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Foreign Minister.

Egypt’s Red Line

State of Play: Abdelatty stated clearly that Egypt rejects any attacks against Saudi Arabia’s civilian infrastructure, sovereignty, or territorial integrity, under any justification or circumstances.

The Backstory: The Houthi militia ended a four-year period of de-escalation in mid-July, targeting Saudi civilians and civilian infrastructure with drone and missile attacks. Their terrorist attacks have hit energy facilities, civilian buildings, and airports across several Saudi cities, including Riyadh, Dammam, Taif, Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran. The Iranian-backed militia also attempted to target the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

The Diplomatic Track

Between the Lines: The Egyptian Foreign Minister noted that Cairo is pushing for de-escalation across the region, working to ease tensions in Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Lebanon, and Syria, while working toward a peaceful settlement for the Palestinian cause, which Abdelatty described as the “core” of the regional conflict. He stressed that political and diplomatic solutions are the only way to resolve these crises.

Zoom In: In a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Abdelatty called for an immediate halt to attacks on Saudi Arabia, affirming that these attacks are unjustified and unacceptable, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

National Interests At Stake

The Context: Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia’s energy facilities and maritime disruptions in the Red Sea directly impact the strategic interests of Riyadh and Cairo.

• Saudi Arabia: Since the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Kingdom has pivoted to its Red Sea ports to ensure the uninterrupted flow of trade and energy supplies to global markets.
• Egypt: The Suez Canal is a strategic source of income for Egypt. The Saudi shift to Red Sea ports delivered an immediate surge in Suez Canal tanker traffic and transit fees. However, recent Houthi aggression reversed those gains.

Reality Check: Maritime traffic in the Suez Canal has been severely impacted by the escalation in Houthi threats, as ships detour away from the Red Sea. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi recently noted that net revenue losses have exceeded $20 billion.

Saudi-Egyptian Shared Frameworks

Go Deeper: In his remarks, Abdelatty said that Egypt is seriously considering joining the Makkah Defense Alliance, alongside Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye, highlighting robust bilateral cooperation between Egypt and each of the three countries across the political, military, and economic spheres.

The Foreign Minister also noted that Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye form the Regional Four (R-4) group – a collective platform for consultation and discussions on their shared vision for the region’s security architecture.

Catch Up Quick: The R-4 issued a joint statement on October 11, strongly condemning ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and demanding the immediate and unconditional halt of these assaults. The group reaffirmed its steadfast support for Saudi Arabia and for all measures the Kingdom takes to counter Houthi attacks, deter their sources of origin, and prevent their recurrence, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.

What to Watch: In addition to the R-4, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are founding members of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition, which the Kingdom launched in late July to address threats to maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.

The Bottom Line: As two Middle Eastern heavyweights, Saudi Arabia and Egypt form the cornerstone of regional security and stability. The close alignment between Riyadh and Cairo lays the groundwork for Arab collective action and shapes the course for the region’s future security architecture.