Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pledged to take “any measure” to defend Saudi Arabia amid increasing attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. Speaking at a Military Academy graduation ceremony, el-Sisi said Egypt was prepared to act to protect the kingdom, in accordance with the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He acknowledged that such action would require parliamentary approval and called for an emergency session to grant authorisation “if needed”.