Egyptian Air Force and Navy Join Military Intervention in Yemen

Egypt’s Presidency has announced that the Egyptian navy and air force are participating in the “Decisive Storm” operation in Yemen which is led by Saudi Arabia.

According to the Presidency, Egypt is among at least 10 countries that have joined the coalition. Egypt’s participation is aimed at restoring stability in Yemen under the “legitimate government” of President Hadi.

Egypt’s President Sisi meanwhile told Saudi Arabia’s King that the Gulf’s security is a red-line for Egypt. The statement was echoed in the Presidency’s announcement which declared “based on Egypt’s responsibility towards Arab national security of the Gulf and the Red Sea region…it was necessary for Egypt to bear its responsibility.”

Egypt’s President has met with Bahrain’s King in Sharm El-Sheikh ahead of an Arab League summit that will see Yemen’s President Hadi fly to the Red Sea resort town.

On Thursday, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry has confirmed that Egypt is ready to deploy ground troops in Yemen ‘if needed’.

The Foreign Minister’s statements came as Arab Foreign Ministers met for an Arab League summit in Egypt’s red sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The confirmation comes hours after Saudi Arabia declared that Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have all joined a coalition to protect ‘the legitimate Yemeni government’ and its people.

Following the announcement, Turkey, which has had rocky relations with Egypt and some Gulf countries, declared its support for the military intervention in Yemen.

Meanwhile, the United States vowed to provide “logistical and intelligence” support to the operation which has not yet been officially endorsed by the United Nations.

However, Iran has warned against the intervention in Yemen, saying that it would led to consequences. Iranian television reported that Saudi Arabia’s air strikes had killed 13 civilians in the capital city of Sana’a.

According to initial reports, senior Houthi leaders are alleged to have been killed in night-time airstrikes by Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has said its force includes more than 100 warplanes and more than 130,000 ground troops.