Egypt urges political solution between Saudi Arabia and Houthis

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Thursday that all options must be explored to find a political solution between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

He spoke at a press conference as the kingdom faces near-daily attacks from the Iran-backed group this month.

What did Egypt say about a political solution with the Houthis?

Abdelatty reiterated solidarity with Saudi Arabia at the press conference. He stressed “the necessity of exploring all avenues for reaching political solutions that guarantee a complete withdrawal from the territories occupied recently”. His remarks came as Saudi Arabia fights in Yemen in support of the internationally recognized government.

How have Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia escalated?

Saudi Arabia has this month come under near-daily attacks from the Houthis, including a strike on Riyadh’s airport that was the kingdom’s deadliest in years. The Houthis launched a major offensive in September and seized Yemeni government-held territory along the Red Sea coast. This followed the collapse in July of a years-long truce in Yemen’s civil war.

The Houthis also declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest exporter of crude. They have since begun hitting its ships, territory and oil facilities.

What is Saudi Arabia doing about the Houthis?

The Saudi air force has frequently attacked areas under Houthi control, which include much of impoverished Yemen. More than 250,000 people have been internally displaced by the fighting there.