Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has recently requested parliamentary approval to provide military support to Saudi Arabia in the event that the kingdom seeks assistance in its ongoing conflict with the Yemeni Houthis. The parliamentary vote has been delayed until after sessions conclude on October 19 and 20.
### Military Support for Saudi Arabia
The National Defense Council of Egypt has already agreed to extend “all necessary and available forms of support” to Saudi Arabia. A source within the Egyptian government disclosed to Mada Masr that Cairo is prepared to send defensive military forces to the kingdom and deploy naval units in the Red Sea, though specifics regarding the nature of this support remain undefined.
### Shipping Through Bab el-Mandeb Strait
This situation is developing against the backdrop of Djibouti, located on the Red Sea and critical to Ethiopian trade. Djibouti is particularly important due to its proximity to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which serves as the southern gateway to the Suez Canal. Recent data from the IMF’s PortWatch platform indicates that an average of 28 vessels per day traversed this essential maritime route from October 5 to 11, compared to 78 vessels in the same period of 2023, and 34 in 2025. The ongoing tensions could have significant repercussions for shipping and trade.
### Economic Impact on Djibouti
According to the World Bank, Djibouti’s economic growth is projected to decline to 5.9% in 2026, down from an anticipated 6.5% in 2025. This deceleration is attributed to regional instability and shipping disruptions in both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, which have been adversely affecting trade relations between Djibouti and Ethiopia, one of its key partners.
### Rising Tensions in the Region
The situation is further complicated by escalating tensions in Ethiopia, just west of Djibouti. Recently, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front gained control of the regional administrative hub of Mekelle on September 23, while federal forces retaliated by re-entering the city on October 3. Additionally, an interim administration was established by the federal government on October 16. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concerns on October 17 regarding the accumulation of troops along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border, warning that it could lead to a broader conflict in the region.
In response to these developments, Djibouti’s Interior Minister Omar Abdi Said reported that over 4,000 Yemeni refugees have sought asylum in the country since September 10. Refugees are being processed at the Markazi camp, which supports more than 9,200 individuals near Obock. Djibouti is also home to the U.S. Camp Lemonnier, which accommodates roughly 4,000 U.S. military personnel and civilian staff, underscoring the strategic importance of this small but influential nation in the Horn of Africa.
Overall, the geopolitical landscape is increasingly volatile, with the potential for military engagement and humanitarian crises looming over the region. Stakeholders will need to monitor these developments closely, as they could have far-reaching implications for both regional stability and global trade routes.