Egypt intends to defend Saudi Arabia, the US has restored intelligence assistance to Ukraine – day digest

Egypt intends to defend Saudi Arabia, the US has restored intelligence assistance to Ukraine – daily digest

**Egypt intends to defend Saudi Arabia**

Egypt is ready to provide the necessary assistance to protect the security and stability of Saudi Arabia. This was reported on October 18 by the Egyptian president's office. According to Reuters, the statement was published following a meeting of the National Defense Council chaired by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

"Egypt will provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and possible types of assistance to protect its security and stability, safeguard its resources, territorial integrity, and Islamic holy sites," the statement said.

Earlier, Sisi asked parliament to permit the army to participate in defending Saudi Arabia if Riyadh requests it. The vote in the Egyptian parliament may be extended until October 20. According to the Constitution, a two-thirds majority of deputies is required to send troops on a combat mission abroad.

This move by Egypt comes at a time when Houthis' attacks on Saudi Arabia have intensified. In recent days, the Houthis have been striking Riyadh International Airport and Saudi Aramco. In an October 10 attack on Riyadh airport, 13 people were killed, including a flight attendant who was an Egyptian citizen. Saudi Arabia also continues to strike Yemen. On October 18, it was reported that at least nine people were killed in such strikes.

The Houthis, meanwhile, called on Egypt not to intervene in the war. In a letter to the speaker of the Egyptian parliament, the speaker of the Houthi-controlled parliament warned that such a step would pose a serious threat to Cairo's national security.

For reference, the fighting in Yemen has turned into another front in the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran.

Nationwide demonstrations in France against rising prices and declining public service quality have turned into riots. Most of the marches on October 17, which involved over half a million people, passed peacefully. However, violent groups clashed with police, looted shops, and attacked government buildings.

French police arrested 2,400 people across the country, and nearly 1,000 police officers were injured. In Paris, one demonstrator died of cardiac arrest. In the city of Limoges, an ancient city hall building was set on fire. Fifty stores of the Carrefour retail chain were damaged.