Egypt has confirmed the presence of soldiers in Saudi Arabia for several months and announced a reinforcement of its contingent. Deployed at the request of Riyadh, these troops are tasked with safeguarding sensitive sites and holy places against Houthi strikes. Cairo has ruled out any offensive operations in Yemen, prioritizing a strictly defensive mandate.
Egyptian military personnel have been stationed inside Saudi Arabia for months. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed the deployment during an interview with France 24 published on November 9, noting that Cairo was expanding its presence following a request from Riyadh. This announcement formalizes a previously discreet military commitment amid renewed attacks by Houthi rebels against the kingdom.
The mission is essentially defensive, according to the top diplomat. It aims to protect critical infrastructure, notably the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, while bolstering Saudi anti-aircraft defense capabilities. Abdelatty explicitly ruled out any Egyptian army operations inside Yemen. According to The National, citing informed sources, several hundred soldiers were dispatched alongside armored vehicles, surface-to-air batteries, and missiles, though no official troop figures have been disclosed.
Riyadh seeks regional backing
The confirmation follows an authorization granted on October 26 by the Egyptian Parliament to President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia. The minister clarified, however, that initial units were already positioned prior to the parliamentary vote, following strikes endured by the kingdom during the escalation with Iran.
Since the resumption of hostilities in Yemen, the Tehran-backed Houthis have stepped up drone and missile launches targeting Saudi oil facilities and airports. Factions within the movement had denounced the parliamentary green light as a declaration of war. Cairo insists, conversely, that it refuses to open a new front and continues to pursue diplomatic mediation. Beyond protecting Saudi territory, this deployment underscores deepening security cooperation between Cairo and Riyadh as Gulf monarchies fortify their defenses against regional threats.