Egypt Pledges Military Support for Saudi Arabia After Attacks

The Government of Egypt pledged full solidarity and support for Saudi Arabia following deadly attacks on the kingdom over the weekend. Egypt's Foreign Minister stated the country will respond positively to any requests for assistance, including potential military support, while condemning violations of Saudi sovereignty and attacks on civilian targets.

As part of this security alignment, Egypt is giving serious consideration to joining the Mecca defense pact, a security agreement already signed by Turkey and Pakistan. The Egyptian government characterized Saudi national security as an integral part of its own and that of the broader Arab world.

Beyond security concerns, Egypt reported a severe economic impact from regional instability. Disruptions in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb have caused the Suez Canal to lose more than $20 billion in net revenue. Despite these losses and rising food and energy prices, the government reported that the Egyptian economy remains resilient, with 5.3% growth for the first semester of the fiscal year and inflation dropping from 35% to approximately 14%.