CAIRO — Egypt's president asked the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen to “back off” for the sake of their country, saying Cairo is participating in a military campaign there for Gulf Arab security. “The stability of Yemen and the safety of its people hangs from your necks,” Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said in a televised speech to military and police officers. “Take the decision: back off for your country's sake,” Sisi said, addressing the rebel leadership without mentioning their names. “It was not possible for us to abandon the security of the Gulf, and not send a message that we need to respect each other's interests,” he added. Egypt had said it is taking part in the campaign with its air force and navy, and has pledged to commit ground troops if they are needed. Sisi also spoke about the decision taken at the weekend Arab summit to create a joint Arab military force, saying its formation could be a “deterrent” in itself. The president said each country that participates in the force could dedicate a unit from its military or navy that would be deployed for missions. Talks on organizing the force are scheduled to start within a month. In Khartoum, Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir said his country did not hesitate to participate in Operation Decisive Storm against the Houthis because the rebels threatened the security of neighboring countries and the region. He stressed that the campaign will continue until they put down their arms. “Sudan's participation in the Arab coalition led by the Kingdom was inevitable,” Al-Bashir said. “We did not hesitate to join the military alliance against the Houthi rebels when they attacked the Yemenis, and threatened the land of the Two Holy Mosques as well as neighboring countries, as they are an aggressive sect, and as Islam has called upon us to fight aggressive sects,” he added. Prince Muhammad Bin Nawaf, Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom, stressed in an interview with BBC that the campaign aims to protect the people of Yemen and defend the Yemeni legitimate government. “Iran is unfortunately behaving in a manner that does not help in maintaining the stability of the region. In the case of Yemen, we have proof and information to prove Iran's involvement in supporting the Houthis in more than one form in the light of confirmation that the Houthis are incapable of mounting such a military campaign without an outside direct support. This is why we have to move and we have to defend our interests.” — Agencies
