Egypt’s parliament allowed President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the country’s president, to take military action to defend Saudi Arabia against attacks by Houthi militants supported by the Islamic Republic, if requested by Saudi Arabia.

The authorization was approved in a closed session, with the support of at least two-thirds of lawmakers.

Tahar el-Khuli, the vice president of the parliament’s legislative committee, told Reuters that Egypt would dispatch forces if requested by Saudi Arabia, coordinating with the two countries’ forces. The number of votes, the type of military support, and the likely timing of the troop deployment have not been announced.

Sisi has emphasized that Egypt’s support will be limited to defending Saudi Arabia’s soil and borders and will not include an attack on Yemen. Egyptian officials have also described the possible mission as “purely defensive.”

The decision came after an increase in missile and drone attacks by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia and reciprocal strikes by an alliance led by Riyadh. At the same time, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey agreed—under the framework of the Mutual Defense Pact of Mecca—for the rapid deployment of troops and equipment in Saudi Arabia. Egypt is not a member of this pact.