Egypt moves toward defending Saudi Arabia as Houthi drones reach Saudi cities

The Saudi-led coalition shot down six drones launched toward Saudi cities, including Madina, Pakistan's Dawn reported. Debris from the interceptions killed two people. The Houthis denied running "deep operations" inside Saudi territory. Iran said Egypt's entry into the Yemen war makes the situation "more difficult." This month's Houthi missile and drone campaign has already struck three Saudi airports, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 370.

Egypt's parliament has delayed a vote until October 26. The vote would authorize the armed forces to help defend Saudi Arabia if Riyadh asks, according to a Reuters explainer carried by Al-Monitor. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Cairo would "take any measure to protect" the Gulf. Analysts quoted in that report expect any Egyptian role to be air defence and naval support rather than ground troops. Egypt has a direct interest in the outcome: Houthi pressure on the Red Sea has cut its Suez Canal revenue.

Inside Yemen, the ground war is widening as well. Africanews reported tank and gunfire clashes on the outskirts of Taiz. Inside the city, rubbish is piling up and roads are blocked, raising public health concerns.

Outside powers are arranging their positions around Riyadh. France 24 reported that Macron became the first Western leader to visit since the escalation. He and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to consult on infrastructure that would bypass the blockaded Strait of Hormuz. African states on the Red Sea have mostly been left out. An Institute for Security Studies analysis published on AllAfrica argues that the Horn of Africa's growing number of special envoys has done little to give African governments influence over the new Middle Eastern alliances forming along their coastline.