Egypt deployed forces to Saudi Arabia before Sisi's public pledge, sources say

Egypt deployed forces and military aircraft to Saudi Arabia and moved air defence systems to strategic locations across the country long before President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi publicly pledged Cairo's support for Riyadh, Egyptian military sources have told Middle East Eye. The deployment included a squadron of Rafale fighter jets, eight helicopters and four large transport aircraft, an Egyptian military source said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak with the media. Egyptian naval warships had also moved towards the southern Red Sea, near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, the source added. The reported naval movements came amid growing Egyptian concern over the security of Red Sea shipping lanes and the threat posed by Houthi attacks in Yemen. In August, Egypt reportedly increased its naval presence near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, with reports claiming that modern frigates and corvettes had been deployed towards the southern entrance of the Red Sea. Read more: Egypt deployed forces to Saudi Arabia before Sisi's public pledge of military support, sources say