Saudi Arabia wants Egypt to join the defense alliance, Cairo is not interested

Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Egypt raised the possibility of its joining the triple defense alliance with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. A regional source told Kan News that Cairo is examining the offer but traditionally is not interested in joining military alliances. Meanwhile, al-Sisi tried to bridge positions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE regarding Yemen.

The visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Egypt, amid the escalation against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, has again raised the possibility that Egypt will join the triple defense alliance between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan. However, Kan News on Reshet Bet reported this morning (Wednesday) that Cairo does not view this favorably. A regional source familiar with Egypt's position on the issue told Kan News that Cairo is examining the possibility of joining the said alliance, but traditionally is not interested in joining military alliances in the region. Meanwhile, a source in the pro-Saudi forces in Yemen told Kan News that during bin Salman's visit to Egypt, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi tried to bring the positions of Saudi Arabia and the UAE closer together regarding Yemen, following their conflict on this front in recent months and with the aim of uniting ranks. It is not impossible that behind the scenes, al-Sisi is also trying to initiate a mediation process between the Saudis and the Houthis. Last night, it was reported on the Kan News edition that the triple defense alliance is not expected to be activated at the current stage given the expanding confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen, despite the daily launches deep into Saudi Arabia. According to a regional diplomat who spoke with Kan News, the alliance does not necessarily require an automatic response from the countries and the matter requires coordination between them.