Egypt’s National Defense Council pledged support for Saudi Arabia as lawmakers debate authorizing military assistance, while a Houthi negotiator says the group conditionally accepted a proposed five-day pause for talks.
Houthi-run Saba reported Oct. 18 that Mohammed Abdulsalam, the Houthis’ chief negotiator, said his side had contacted Saudi Arabia directly and through intermediaries about the Yemen peace roadmap. Abdulsalam said Riyadh had made no progress on several proposals. He said the Houthis had accepted a proposed pause on the condition that Saudi Arabia meet their humanitarian demands.
The United Nations said in December 2023 that the parties had committed to a nationwide ceasefire, public-sector salaries, renewed oil exports, opening roads and easing restrictions on Sana’a Airport and Hudaydah port. The measures link security steps with livelihoods and access for Yemenis. U.N. Special Envoy Hans Grundberg said in August 2026 that the roadmap had stalled before becoming a political process. He also recalled a period of relative calm after the 2022 truce.
Grundberg told the Security Council on Oct. 9 that Yemen had returned to full-scale war and that Houthi attacks had hit civilian and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. He said Houthi threats against commercial ships linked to Saudi Arabia put other nations’ ability to navigate the Red Sea at risk.
In an interview with Al Araby TV, Houthi leader Mohammed Al Bukhaiti said he did not expect Egypt to enter the conflict and argued that involvement would not serve Cairo.
Egypt’s National Defense Council said Oct. 18 it would provide “all necessary and possible forms of support” for Saudi Arabia and step up diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions. The statement did not specify a deployment.
Youm7 reported that Egyptian lawmakers adjourned debate on a request to authorize assistance if Saudi Arabia asks for it. Discussion is scheduled to resume at 4 a.m. ET (8 a.m. UTC; 11 a.m. Cairo time) Monday, Oct. 26.
