Badr Abdelatty: Egyptian army has been in Saudi Arabia for months - Sarmad
Badr Abdelatty confirms the presence of Egyptian military forces in Saudi Arabia to enhance air defense following authorization by the House of Representatives
Translated by Qiyas from سرمد — Original source
(AFP) – Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that Egypt has had a military presence in Saudi Arabia for months, following the National Assembly’s authorization two weeks ago for President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide defensive support to Saudi Arabia to help it counter Houthi attacks backed by Iran.
In an interview with France 24 aired on Monday, Abdelatty said Egypt is now “enhancing” its deployment, a step not previously announced.
He added, “We already have a military presence there at the request of our brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia… We are working to strengthen it.”
Last month, the Egyptian parliament approved providing defensive support to Saudi Arabia to assist it in facing attacks by what it described as terrorist Houthi militias, at the request of el-Sisi.
Abdelatty continued, “Our presence there began a few months ago after the attacks and assaults on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the escalation with Iran,” without providing further details.
He clarified that the upcoming Egyptian military deployment would be “for defensive purposes,” including “air defense capabilities to protect various sensitive sites in Saudi Arabia, including, of course, holy sites and others.”
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused the Houthi militias of launching attacks on the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Abdelatty, who was speaking in Paris while attending a meeting of the Group of Seven foreign ministers, downplayed a statement by Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi political council, that Egypt’s provision of defensive support to Saudi Arabia amounted to a “declaration of war.”
He said, “If you remember, another senior Houthi official said they appreciate and welcome any role Egypt plays in mediating and de-escalating tensions. That is what we are trying to do, because there is no military solution.”
