Houthi Official: Egypt's Move Is a Declaration of War on Yemen

Egypt’s decision to help defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks has drawn a sharp response from Yemen. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the political bureau of the Iran-backed group, claimed Tuesday that the Egyptian parliament’s approval to send forces into Saudi territory amounts to a declaration of war on Yemen.

The senior official declared: “It is truly astonishing that while people are discussing what they call ‘peace in the region,’ Egypt and its parliament are announcing support for ‘the defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.’ In doing so, they are effectively declaring war on the Republic of Yemen.”

Tensions between the sides rose following a vote in the Egyptian parliament Monday, which approved the deployment of military forces beyond the country’s borders for a defense mission in Saudi Arabia. Two Egyptian members of parliament told the BBC that the decision passed by a clear majority. The move came after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi pledged earlier this month to provide Saudi Arabia with any assistance it requests.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led military coalition announced that its defense systems intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis toward Riyadh on Tuesday. Three additional missiles launched toward eastern Saudi Arabia were also reportedly intercepted, along with drones fired toward the south of the country.

Fighting also continues within Yemen. Forces opposing the Houthis are increasing military pressure near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and in Taiz province, where exchanges of fire and airstrikes targeting the group’s positions took place Tuesday.

The escalation is also taking a heavy toll on civilians. According to data from an international monitoring organization, more than 270,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to the bombardments, while thousands of other Yemenis have fled to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.