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Yahya al-Rai, head of the Houthi-affiliated legislature in Yemen, voiced concern in an urgent message to his Egyptian counterpart Hisham Badawi that Cairo could join military action against the group in support of Saudi Arabia.
Houthi-affiliated SABA news agency reported that Rai sent the urgent message to Badawi.
Pointing to Cairo’s regional role, Rai said, “We categorically reject dragging Egypt, the pioneer of the Arab world and of history, into a war that is in no way compatible with its own values.”
On Yemen, Rai added: “We are following with great concern any inclination that could lead Egypt to take part in military moves serving the policies of the Saudi regime in Yemen.”
Rai alleged that Saudi Arabia has imposed a blockade and carried out attacks on Yemen for more than 12 years and that Riyadh has avoided the road map for peace and thwarted related efforts.
Egypt’s government-owned Al-Ahram newspaper reported on Saturday that parliament, led by Speaker Hisham Badawi, will hold an extraordinary session at the call of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Sisi urged lawmakers to convene urgently during a speech at the graduation ceremony of the Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital, saying, “We will take every step to protect Saudi Arabia, and if necessary for this course of action, I request authorization from parliament.”
The developments come amid military tension that has escalated since July between Saudi Arabia and Houthis in Yemen.
Meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo on Sept. 15, Sisi stressed that Egypt backs measures Riyadh has taken to protect the kingdom’s security and stability.
The presidency said in a statement that the two leaders agreed that regional conditions call for greater solidarity and that the security of Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries is an inseparable part of Egypt’s national security.
The war in Yemen erupted in 2014 after the Houthis took control of Sanaa, the capital, along with several other provinces. A coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened in March 2015 to back the country’s internationally recognized government.
Cross-border attacks largely stopped under a truce mediated by the United Nations in 2022, but the deal fell apart in July 2026 when fresh disputes over flights linking Houthi-controlled Sanaa with Iran set off new strikes.
Houthi forces hit Saudi Arabia again, targeting civilian aviation sites and energy installations, while the coalition kept intercepting missiles and drones fired at Saudi Arabia.
Tensions spilled into the Red Sea as well, with the Houthis menacing vessels tied to Saudi Arabia and declaring a maritime blockade in July.
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