Egypt will not hesitate to send military forces into the territory of Arab Gulf allies to offer protection if asked by the leaders of those countries, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said.

The most populous Arab state, the recipient of billions of dollars in aid from the Gulf, has entered a Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen but has yet to formally commit to sending ground troops. Sisi has often said that the Gulf's security is synonymous with Egyptian national security.

"The president made it clear that Egypt will not hesitate to send forces to brotherly Gulf counties to defend them if they face any direct threat or aggression," the presidency said in a statement. Sisi made his comments at a briefing with Kuwaiti journalists on Wednesday. – Reuters