El-Sisi: Egypt will not tolerate any threat to Saudi security and borders

In less than 24 hours, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi addressed the need to safeguard Gulf security on two separate occasions, focusing his second address on Saudi Arabia and affirming that Egypt will not tolerate any threat to the Kingdom’s security or borders.

On Thursday, during the Police Academy’s 2026 graduation ceremony at its headquarters in New Cairo, El-Sisi stated that the region is undergoing profound geopolitical shifts that will have far-reaching consequences.

He affirmed that Egypt and Saudi Arabia form the heart of the Arab and Islamic nations, emphasizing that any harm inflicted on either state directly impacts the other, validating the premise that the national security of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states is inextricably linked.

Targeting the Kingdom in this manner directly threatens Egyptian and wider Arab national security, El-Sisi stressed, reiterating that Egypt will not tolerate any infringement on Saudi security or its borders, nor will it accept threats to the security of the Red Sea and international maritime corridors.

Speaking Wednesday evening at the Armed Forces’ 44th Cultural Symposium, titled “Homeland of Heroes” and held in the New Administrative Capital to mark the 53rd anniversary of the October War victories, El-Sisi stressed Egypt’s commitment to regional de-escalation and resolving the Gulf crisis.

El-Sisi noted that Egypt views Gulf security as integral to its own national security, explaining, “We fully support our brothers in the Gulf and their stability. We are ready to play a role in... rather, not just ready, we are trying to play a role in de-escalating tensions and preserving shipping lanes so the region can return to how it was, and better.”

“We hope to succeed in finding a way out of the major impasse confronting our region, across all the countries facing challenges,” he added.

El-Sisi’s remarks came two days after Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told Bloomberg that Egypt is prepared to provide all forms of assistance to Saudi Arabia, including military support if requested by Riyadh, adding that Cairo will deliver on whatever the Kingdom asks for.

Abdelatty’s interview marked the first public comments on the matter by an Egyptian official since last month’s Cairo meeting between El-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which news reports indicated included a Saudi request for Egyptian defensive support against Houthi attacks.

Abdelatty said Cairo is ready to extend all forms of backing to Riyadh “without any reservations,” including military support if requested, noting that Egypt is seriously weighing joining the Mecca Alliance, which includes Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.

The foreign minister also warned that escalating tensions in the Red Sea and the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait would severely disrupt shipping through the Suez Canal, amid growing fears that broadening hostilities will endanger international maritime trade routes.

Clashes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Ansar Allah (Houthis) movement have escalated in recent days, expanding to target Saudi oil installations and airports. 

An Ansar Allah strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 13 people, wounded more than 300, and grounded flights at the vital facility, following an earlier attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West crude oil pipeline.