Lead:
Egypt's Supreme Defense Council, chaired by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, approved the dispatch of Egyptian military forces to Saudi Arabia on a defensive mission, with parliamentary approval expected later today. The decision follows intensifying Houthi militia attacks on Saudi territory, including a projectile strike in Najran that wounded six civilians. The move signals deepening military coordination between Egypt and the Kingdom amid growing regional security concerns.
Details:
According to Al-Watan, President Al-Sisi confirmed Egypt's commitment to Saudi Arabia's security, stating that Egypt "will not permit any threat to Saudi security" and will implement "any measures necessary" to protect the Kingdom, in line with directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The presidential approval came ahead of an emergency parliamentary session to formalize the military authorization.
The civil defense authority reported that a Houthi projectile struck a residential area in Najran on Sunday, July 5, 1448 Hijri, causing injuries and property damage. In response, the official spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, dismissed Houthi claims of downing an Apache helicopter, posting images of Apache squadrons and warning that these aircraft "will soon enter the battlefield."
Deputy Foreign Minister Walid Al-Khuraiji met with Arab ambassadors in Riyadh to underscore that Houthi attacks constitute war crimes and represent a shared international responsibility. Separately, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manama on the sidelines of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Russia ministerial meeting, reflecting ongoing diplomatic engagement amid the security crisis.
According to Al-Watan, the Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has supplied the Houthi militia with critical intelligence to enable target identification for strikes against Saudi Arabia, indicating a deeper operational coordination between Tehran and the militia groups. The report also described Iranian use of submarines to smuggle weapons to the Houthis, representing a significant shift in military supply methods.
Watch For:
1. Parliamentary vote confirmation — The Egyptian parliament's formal approval is expected today; any conditions or amendments would signal domestic political constraints on the deployment.
2. Scale and timeline of Egyptian forces — Details on troop numbers, deployment location, and operational mandate remain to be clarified in official statements.
3. Iran-Houthi coordination escalation — Continued reporting on intelligence sharing and weapons transfers may shape international responses and coalition strategy adjustments.