The regional response to the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia is taking shape. CBS News reports that Egypt is weighing sending troops to Saudi Arabia in the war with Iran-backed rebels, after Yemen's Houthis intensified their attacks, targeting airports and oil infrastructure. Earlier, Al Jazeera had reported that Egypt agreed to provide military support, so the exact stage of the decision is unclear and may have changed.
At the same time, CBS reports that U.S. diplomatic missions across the Middle East have issued a new round of warnings to Americans because of the attacks. Such warnings usually advise citizens to review their security, stay alert in public places and consider whether to leave areas at risk. They do not necessarily mean a specific attack is planned, but they show that governments are concerned about the possibility of further strikes.
I have only seen the headlines and summaries, so I do not know how many troops Egypt is considering, what roles they would perform or what the Saudi government has asked for. Any deployment would be a significant step, because it could draw another country into the conflict and raise the risk of escalation. It could also reduce the pressure on Washington to intervene directly, a dilemma that President Trump has faced.
The human cost continues to grow. The Saudi-led coalition reported 19 deaths and 364 injuries from the airport attacks, and the war inside Yemen has also killed many civilians. Travellers should check their government's advice and airline notices before going to the region. Watch for official announcements from Cairo and Riyadh, any change in U.S. posture and further Houthi attacks. As always, casualty figures and troop numbers in fast-moving conflicts can change quickly.
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