Egypt and the UAE Announce Their Support for Saudi Arabia

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have officially announced their support for Saudi Arabia. This decision comes in the wake of escalating tensions between the Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia, marked by rocket and air attacks in Yemen.

Houthi Claims of Downing a Fighter Jet

On Wednesday (September 25), the Houthis claimed to have downed a Saudi F-15 fighter jet during operations in Marib province. As of the publication of this news, Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the downing of this fighter jet, and independent sources have also not verified the Houthi claims.

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Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Houthis, accused Saudi Arabia of conducting hundreds of airstrikes on various locations in Yemen in recent days. This claim was made just hours after the Saudi-led coalition announced that its air defense system had targeted a Houthi drone in southern Mecca.

International Concerns Over the Security of Bab al-Mandab Strait

Qatar has also expressed concern over the security situation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, warning that if this strait is effectively blocked, it will have serious consequences for global trade. The Qatari Foreign Ministry emphasized that the world cannot witness the closure of another important maritime route after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthi group, which currently controls several coastal areas and an island in Yemen, has heightened concerns about the potential for attacks on commercial ships. The Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and under normal circumstances, about 10 percent of global maritime trade passes through this strait.

In recent discussions, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the need to ensure freedom and security for navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Egyptian presidency has also expressed its support for Saudi Arabia's efforts to protect its security and stability.

As Iran-backed Houthi militants continue their advances along the Red Sea coast, concerns about the security situation in the region have significantly increased.

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