Discussion on Egypt's Role in Yemen Conflict

Hussein Nasser Al-Bukhaiti. Joining us from

Cairo as well is Dr. Hossam Farouk, professor of political science

and managing editor of Al Gomhuria newspaper. I'll begin with

Hussein Nasser Al-Bukhaiti.

Why do you consider Egypt's support for Saudi Arabia

in defending itself against the movement's attacks

a declaration of war on Yemen when you do not represent Yemen after all?

In fact, my dear brother, at first I did not hear that statement, but let's say it

was true, because Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi's statement said, warning against luring

Egypt into a new war that would drain its capabilities, and that

the Zionist entity's goal is Egypt and the destruction of Egypt in the future.

Therefore, the war and participation in the war on Yemen are aimed at destroying

Egypt's capabilities. He said that we are not afraid of

any alliances in the region

against Yemen. As for your question, my brother,

Sanaa previously announced here that any

Egyptian participation—they know that the Egyptian people and army

sympathize with Yemen, and I think they do not care

For any Egyptian participation to be within the framework of defending

Saudi Arabia, because that will not affect the course of the battle.

For example, Greece is participating in the defense of Saudi Arabia.

Britain is also participating in the defense of Saudi Arabia, France as well.

There are anti-aircraft systems and air defenses that

Saudi Arabia uses, belonging to those countries and on Saudi territory. Has that affected or stopped

the

Yemeni attacks on Saudi Arabia? On the contrary, the attacks are expanding, and none of them has been able to

Those air defenses, along with the American defenses.

If that's the case, why? Why this stance against Egypt? Why?

Do you say this Egyptian stance is a declaration of war on Yemen?

My dear brother, as I told you, I haven't heard that statement from Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, as

You mentioned it, but now, when it is announced

Egypt is going to defend Saudi Arabia, defend Saudi Arabia when? During

Its war and aggression against Yemen, so Yemen will not take any

measures except based on what is happening on the ground.

For now, these are still statements and announcements, and regarding your saying that we...

that if he actually said it, it amounts to a declaration of war, you say

that means it has nothing to do with us, and we do not represent Yemen.

Who is this Saudi war against? It is against us, against Ansar

Allah, against the Yemeni army. Therefore, any declaration of participation

is against the Ansar Allah movement, not Yemen.

All right, Mr. Hussein, please stay with me.

Dr. Hossam Farouk from Cairo, how do you see this

matter? The man says there is no problem with Egypt, and therefore

Egypt's participation in defending Saudi Arabia against what he describes as

That it is an aggression against Yemen.

It is not required.

My greetings to you, the esteemed guest, and the viewers.

To begin with, Egypt's position is clear, explicit, and declared.

And the esteemed guest said it, meaning he said that this...

For defense. Egypt said it wouldn't go to war or engage in a

confrontation with the Houthis. Egypt

defends Saudi Arabia as Saudi Arabia requests.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took

A decision, meaning a request for authorization, first.

Under Article 152 of the Constitution, the Supreme

Defense Council, then the National Defense Council, then the House

of Representatives by a two-thirds majority after three sessions.

Egypt comes first.

It does not enter wars. Egypt will provide a

defensive service or fulfill a defensive duty for a partner state or

a state whose relationship with Egypt is strategic.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia are bound by many ties.

It will defend the Kingdom, the Kingdom's security, and the Kingdom's holy sites.

This is one point. The other point is that Egypt has been greatly harmed by what

is happening in Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks.

Imagine that the Suez Canal, from

January first, 2026, to mid-June 2026,

lost 17 billion dollars, according to a statement by the Suez Canal

Authority, and this is a fundamental, primary source of Egyptian national income.

Egyptian national security is closely linked

to Gulf security and Saudi security.

Egypt does not declare that it is, meaning, at war with the Houthis.

or others. Egypt is fulfilling its defensive duty

toward a partner, especially since Saudi Arabia has not lagged behind

the Arab Republic of Egypt by a single day since

2013 to this day.

Dr. Hossam, are there guarantees that the Egyptian army will not

become involved, one way or another, in attacking Yemen? I mean, if Egyptian pilots

were asked, for example, to attack targets of the movement on

the border inside Yemen, could that happen?

Look, sir, the word “defense” is very clear, which is, if

Saudi Arabia were subjected to an attack,

then the forces participating in the defense might take part.

But the Egyptian forces will not initiate or become involved in

striking the Houthis in their locations,

because there is a difference between defense and war.

Egypt is bolstering Saudi Arabia’s defensive strength,

while at the same time strengthening its national security,

the Red Sea region, Bab al-Mandab, and the Suez Canal.

Okay, Dr. Hossam, no, stay with me, the idea is clear.

Only because of time constraints, I’ll return to Mr. Hussein

now.

As the movement says, this is a declaration of war on Yemen.

Could the movement target Egypt

with its ballistic missiles, for example, if it were to happen

and Egypt attacked, or in response to this Egyptian position?

My dear brother, you are now conflating the Egyptian position, which is defending what?

Defending

Saudi Arabia. As I mentioned, many countries are

participating in the defense of Saudi Arabia. Did that lead Yemen to

for example, target Turkey or target Pakistan?

But, Brother Hussein, what is notable this time, what is notable this time is that it did not

issue, did not issue, did not. The movement did not speak of Turkey declaring

war on Yemen, but it declared that

Egypt had declared war on Yemen. That is the important point this time.

Therefore, does this declaration of war require a response from

the movement?

My dear brother, that is why I told you, I do not know where this statement came from, and I did not hear it.

It may have escaped me, or I do not know, perhaps you quoted it. They tell you it is from

Reuters, or I do not know, but let us say that statement, let us say

If that were true, Yemen would…

Yemen would also talk about Turkey and Pakistan.

If there were participation in shedding Yemeni blood,

meaning an attack. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said that it is

the defense of Saudi Arabia.

That means attacking Yemen, intervening, and sending forces to

Yemen. Then, at that time, there certainly would be

a different equation and a different reality. But if, as I told you, there is no…

Is that conceivable? Is it conceivable that Yemen, I mean Yemen,

would launch an attack on Egypt because it participated in

the defense of Saudi Arabia?

Let us leave America aside for a moment, my dear brother, let me finish, and leave America and Greece aside.

And leave Britain, Pakistan, and Turkey aside. No, my dear brother,

certainly, and I want to stress to you that Yemenis

still hold Egypt in the highest respect, and appreciate Egypt's support

for Yemen's just cause. Therefore, any decision concerning

Egypt would be based only on what is happening on the ground inside Yemeni territory.

Hussein Nasser Al-Bukhaiti, thank you very much. Finally, we return to Dr.

Hossam