Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry called for a closed discussion without media presence on the situation in Yemen during an Arab League Summit ministerial meeting on Thursday, state-media reported.
Egypt had stated earlier that it will back Saudi Arabia “politically and militarily” in its airstrikes on Yemen, adding that it may be ready to participate with its aerial and naval forces.
Saudi Arabia launched its first airstrikes on Sanaa’s international airport as well as several other locations in the capital Wednesday night.
Sudan, Jordan, and Morocco also announced their support of this coalition.
“This is the first time there is a direct confrontation with the GCC and the Iranian hands in the region. Before this the confrontation was through other representatives; this was the case in Iran Lebanon and Syria,” said Amr Shobky, an expert with the Al-Ahram Centre for Strategic studies.
At least 13 civilians were reportedly killed during the overnight airstrikes, Yemeni Civilian Defence forces told AFP news agency.
“This is the first time there is a direct confrontation with the GCC and the Iranian hands in the region. Before this the confrontation was through other representatives; this was the case in Iran Lebanon and Syria,” said Amr Shobky, an expert with the Al-Ahram Centre for Strategic studies.
At least 13 civilians were reportedly killed during the overnight airstrikes, Yemeni Civilian Defence forces told AFP news agency.
“This is a very significant transformation and it will change the power relations in Yemen. Before this, power was definitely on the side of the Houthis,” Shobky said, adding that the big question for the meetings will be “What if Iran also becomes directly involved in this military confrontation?”
The United States also announced that it will support Saudi Arabia with intelligence matters, he added.
The foreign ministers involved in the coalition against the Houthis in Yemen discussed the importance of “defending legitimacy” in Yemen.
In the opening meetings of the Arab Foreign Ministers in Sharm El-Shiekh Shoukry highlighted the importance of taking “practical” steps in “countering terrorism.”
Preparation meetings for the Arab League’s 26th Summit have been ongoing in Sharm El-Shiekh since Monday with the aim of recommending and proposing decisions for collective Arab work.
Meetings for economy and trade ministers have been taking place alongside the meetings for foreign ministers.
The Arab League Summit is set to take place in Sharm El-Shiekh on 28 and 29 March.
