CAIRO: Egypt condemned the “occupation” of the embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Yemen by the Houthi rebels, and expressed its concern over escalating military operations in Syria, according to statements by the Foreign Ministry Wednesday.
“Such attacks will only increase the strength and determination of the Arab coalition countries to complete its noble mission to support stability and restore security in the Republic of Yemen,” the Egyptian statement read.
Egypt, UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council have slammed the Houthis, saying they breach international conventions.
Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt have launched a military coalition to fight the Houthi rebels, who are believed to be supported by Iran, yet Egypt limits its participation to airstrikes and marine presence at the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Yemen’s capital of Sanaa has fallen under the control of the rebels in September 2014, and many states, including UAE, have shut down their embassies since then.
In the context of the Syrian crisis, to which Cairo demanded a political solution, the ministry welcomed UN’s Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura’s plan to begin negotiations to resolve the crisis after he visited Damascus last month.
Spokesperson of the ministry Ahmed Abou Zeid called on all parties to “achieve the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Syrian people for change, while preserving Syria’s institutions, unity and security.”
On Sunday and Monday, the Syrian military bombarded Doma, Damascus, killing dozens of people.