# Egypt Pledges Military Support to Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating Regional Conflict President el-Sissi seeks parliamentary approval for troop deployment as Yemen fighting intensifies significantly. - **Source:** [Fortune](https://fortune.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1451f896-a417-46df-af53-2feefc5d478f ## Egypt Authorizes Military Support Egypt’s National Defense Council, chaired by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, has officially pledged all possible forms of support to Saudi Arabia. This decision follows a major escalation in fighting between the kingdom and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The council aims to bolster Saudi security and stability through both military and diplomatic channels. ## Parliamentary Approval Process Initiated President el-Sissi has formally requested that the Egyptian parliament grant him the necessary authorization to deploy troops and military equipment abroad. Parliament convened on Sunday to discuss this request and will continue deliberations on Monday. This legislative step is required to legitimize any potential direct military intervention by Egyptian forces. ## Yemen Conflict Reaches Critical Point A recent airstrike in Yemen’s Saada province killed at least nine people, including five children and two women. Houthi-run Health Ministry spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi reported that 19 others were wounded in the Sahar district attack. This incident marks a violent resurgence in the civil war following a four-year period of relative ceasefire. ## Saudi Helicopter Crash Incident A Saudi military helicopter gunship crashed near the city of Najran, resulting in the deaths of its two-member crew. While the Houthi rebels claimed to have downed the aircraft, a Saudi military spokesperson attributed the crash to a technical malfunction. The area remains a focal point of intense regional military engagement. ## Journalist Attacked in West Bank Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was seriously injured during a settler attack in the West Bank village of Abu Falah. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the incident as a despicable act of terror. Levine required surgery for broken ribs and hand injuries after being beaten for over ten minutes by masked settlers. ## Diplomatic Tensions and Investigations Israeli police are currently investigating the assault on Levine and a separate attack on European diplomats in the West Bank. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the assault on Levine as alleged, despite widespread condemnation. The Washington Post has reiterated its demand for a full and transparent investigation into the violent incident. ## Iran Reviews U.S. Proposals Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is reviewing Washington’s response to proposals aimed at ending the eight-month war. Iran has conditioned the reopening of the strait on the lifting of port blockades, the release of frozen assets, and the waiver of sanctions on oil sales, pending further indirect diplomatic messaging. ## Strategic Regional Implications The combination of Egyptian military support for Saudi Arabia and ongoing instability in the West Bank signals a broader regional volatility. With Iran appointing a new defense minister and vowing a surprising response to external pressure, the geopolitical landscape remains fragile. All parties are currently navigating high-stakes military and diplomatic maneuvers. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/10/18/egypt-saudi-arabia-defense-authorization-troops-houthis-escalation/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._