Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced his country’s military is ready to defend Saudi Arabia against attacks by Iran-backed Houthis, following a deadly strike on a Riyadh airport that killed 13 people, including an American. The attack, which occurred on February 28, 2026, marked a significant escalation in regional tensions. The Houthis, a group supported by Iran, are accused of targeting Saudi infrastructure in retaliation for a Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.
The Houthi attack on the airport in Riyadh was one of several strikes attributed to the group in recent weeks. Yemen’s military reported 1,417 strikes against Houthi positions in a 24-hour period, resulting in the deaths or injuries of about 800 fighters and the destruction of over 190 military vehicles. The operations, part of Operation Dawn of Yemen, involved combat aircraft, drones, and artillery.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed one of the tankers involved in the attack was traveling on an unauthorized route, suggesting a possible link to the Houthi operation. The U.S. President, Donald Trump, criticized Iran over stalled nuclear negotiations, highlighting the broader geopolitical stakes.
The situation follows months of conflict in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia and its allies have been engaged in a war against the Houthis. The Houthi group, backed by Iran, has been accused of launching attacks on Saudi territory, prompting calls for international intervention. Egypt’s willingness to support Saudi Arabia signals a potential shift in regional alliances, with implications for the ongoing conflict and international relations.
