Egypt ready to provide all forms of support to Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati announced today, Tuesday, that Egypt is ready to provide "all forms of support" to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in facing the attacks carried out by the Houthis, stressing that Saudi security is an integral part of Egyptian and Arab national security.

Abdel Aati's remarks came in a television interview on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Bangkok, where he said Cairo will respond to any request submitted by Riyadh, including the possibility of providing military support, without any reservation, and that it stands with the Saudi people and government in defending their security and stability.

The minister added that Egypt is seriously considering joining the Joint Defense Agreement that was signed in Mecca on August 7 between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, an agreement that stipulates treating any armed attack on any of its parties as an attack on all.

Abdel Aati expressed Cairo's categorical rejection of any assault targeting civilian sites in Saudi Arabia or any violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while stressing continued diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions in Yemen through political solutions.

Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had issued a joint statement on Sunday condemning the attacks and affirming support for Riyadh's deterrence and defense measures.

Cairo's stance comes after an escalation in Houthi attacks with missiles and drones on Saudi airports and facilities, including an assault on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh which resulted in fatalities and dozens of injured, in a development that brought regional security back to the forefront of Arab and international concerns and prompted Arab capitals to reaffirm their solidarity with Riyadh.