Sisi: Egypt wants to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks
Egypt’s president announces “necessary measures,” with parliament set to convene on Sunday. According to The Guardian, the Emirates plan to resume funding Yemeni forces.
Archive image · Photo: Jim Mattis / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced that his country would take the necessary measures to defend Saudi Arabia against attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia. “It is unthinkable that we would allow Saudi Arabia, its security or its stability to be harmed,” he said, according to Iran International. He called on parliament to hold an emergency session, which Reuters said is planned for Sunday. At the same time, the foreign ministers of Egypt and Turkey called for new negotiations between the United States and Iran, according to Egypt’s State Information Service.
According to a Guardian report picked up by Iran International, the United Arab Emirates plans to resume funding Yemeni forces fighting the Houthis, with Saudi Arabia to provide air support. The Emirates had withdrawn from Yemen in January.
The fighting continues: the Houthis claimed two missiles that struck the grounds of Aden airport on Friday. The Houthis said Saudi airstrikes had hit houses in Dhamar province, killing three children; Riyadh did not initially comment. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for an “inclusive and comprehensive political process” between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. According to the Health Ministry in Houthi-controlled territory, 124 people have been killed there since fighting flared up again in September.