A senior Houthi official in Yemen said Tuesday that the Egyptian parliament's decision to approve military assistance to Saudi Arabia, aimed at defending the kingdom against attacks by the pro-Iranian terrorist organization, constitutes "a declaration of war."
Member of the group's political bureau Mohammed Ali al-Houthi said, "It is truly astonishing that while people are discussing what they call 'regional peace,' Egypt and its parliament are declaring support for 'defending the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.' In doing so, they are effectively declaring war on the Republic of Yemen."
It should be noted that the Houthis refer to themselves as representatives of the official state of Yemen.
Egyptian parliament approves sending forces to Saudi Arabia
Earlier this month, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi promised to provide Saudi Arabia with all forms of assistance if requested. Following that promise, the Egyptian parliament held a vote Monday that granted him the mandate to do so.
As part of the decision, the Egyptian parliament approved sending forces outside the country's borders for a defensive mission on Saudi territory. Two Egyptian lawmakers told the BBC that the move passed by a clear majority.
Meanwhile, the Saudi-led military coalition (intervening in Yemen's civil war) announced Tuesday that it had intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis toward Riyadh.
The coalition also reported intercepting three additional missiles fired toward the eastern part of the kingdom, as well as drones fired toward the south.
More than 270,000 people displaced from their homes
In Yemen itself, the fallout from the escalation has worsened conditions for the population. According to an international monitoring organization, more than 270,000 people have been displaced from their homes due to the airstrikes. Meanwhile, thousands of Yemenis have reportedly left for Djibouti, in the Horn of Africa.
On the front lines, the camp opposing the Houthis has been pressuring the group's forces in the area of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and in Taiz province. Against this backdrop, Tuesday saw exchanges of fire and airstrikes on Houthi positions.
