Tensions in the Gulf region continued on Tuesday, as a Houthi official claimed that Egypt’s authorisation of military support for Saudi Arabia amounted to a “declaration of war” against Yemen.
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthis’ political bureau, made the remarks in a post on Telegram, according to news agency AFP.
“Egypt and its parliament declared support for what is called the defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and in doing so, it declares war against the Republic of Yemen,” he was quoted as saying.
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Egypt parliament authorises military support to Saudi Arabia
The remarks by the Houthi official come a day after Egypt's parliament authorised sending military support to Saudi Arabia for defence from attacks by Yemen's Houthis, AFP reported on Monday.
According to an official statement of the parliament, cited in the report, the House of Representatives voted with a two-thirds majority in favour of "authorising President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to take the necessary measures to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia".
{{/usCountry}}According to an official statement of the parliament, cited in the report, the House of Representatives voted with a two-thirds majority in favour of "authorising President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to take the necessary measures to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia".
{{/usCountry}}Riyadh is one of Cairo's strongest allies; however, the report added that it was unclear what defensive support Egypt could provide.
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Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted Houthi missiles
Earlier on Tuesday, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said that it had intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles and drones launched by the Houthis towards two regions of Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters.
The coalition said that the Houthis launched three ballistic missiles towards Saudi Arabia's eastern region, and four drones towards the country's southern region.
Saudi Arabia has amped up its strikes on the Houthis since the group captured strategic areas along Yemen's Red Sea coast last month, the report added.
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Meanwhile, the escalation has opened another front in the conflict between the US and Iran, which began on February 28 with joint strikes by the US and Israel against Iran.
In retaliation, Tehran launched counterstrikes targeting US and Israeli assets across the Middle East and tightened its control over the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.
(with inputs from agencies)