Explainer-What’s behind Egypt’s move towards possible military involvement in Saudi-Yemen conflict?

CAIRO, Oct 19 (Reuters) Egypt s parliament is expected to vote this week on whether to authorise the armed forces to help defend Saudi Arabia against attacks by Yemen s Houthis if Riyadh requests its support. The move would bring the Arab world s most populous country closer to direct military involvement in the widening conflicts unleashed by the US-Israeli air assault on Iran in February. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi requested the approval in a speech on Saturday, saying Egypt would never, never forget our brothers in ​the Gulf and telling Saudi Arabia s leaders that Cairo would take any measure to protect you . Like the Gulf states that have come under attack from Tehran in the ‌Iran war, Egypt is a longstanding partner in the US-led security order that is being tested by the conflict. WHAT IS EGYPT S STANCE ON THE IRAN WAR? Sisi s comments marked a clear escalation from the more measured tone authorities have tended to adopt since the Iran war started. Though Egypt has repea