http://www.thecairopost.com/news/136209/news/egypt-may-intervene-militarily-if-yemeni-strait-closed-mamish
Egypt may intervene militarily if Yemeni strait closed: Mamish
By THE CAIRO POST
CAIRO: Egypt would intervene militarily if the Bab al-Mandeb strait were closed by the Houthis of Yemen, said the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Mohab Mamish Wednesday.
“Egypt will not accept the closure of the strait in any way, and would intervene militarily if needed…this action affects Egyptian national security, and has a direct impact on the Suez Canal,” he added in a news conference.
Media reports claimed that some Houthis militants of Yemen were heading to control the strait located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa.
Sana’a witnessed clashes Jan. 19 between the U.S.-backed government army and Shiite Houthis near the presidential palace; Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi resigned Thursday.
Mamish added that the closure of Baba el Mandeb, which connects the Red Sea with Gulf of Aden, would stop international navigation movement.
Yemeni newspapers reported Tuesday that Iran warned the Houthis group against reaching the strait to avoid any possible problems with Egypt.
On Jan. 26, a U.S. military delegation, headed by Deputy Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Rear Admiral James T. Loeblein, paid a two-day visit to Egypt, discussing the latest developments in Yemen, and their possible effect on maritime navigation in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, DPA reported.
Received on Fri Feb 06 2015 - 04:47:06 EST