The military “Operation Decisive Storm” spearheaded by Saudi Arabia against Houthi militias in Yemen to support the legitimacy of President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi was the main highlight of the Egyptian press out Friday.
In response to a call by the Yemeni president, nine Arab countries stepped in, along with Pakistan, and started the military operation after the Shiite Houthis launched an assault to seize Aden, where the Yemeni president is based, Al Ahram newspaper reported.
Al Ahram cited a statement issued by the Egyptian presidency confirming Egypt's participation in the military operation in Yemen.
"Based on the requirements of the responsibility of Egypt to preserve Arab national security in the Gulf and the Red Sea region and in line with the Arab Joint Defense Agreement and the Arab League Charter, it was inevitable to Egypt to bear the responsibility and meet the call of the Yemeni people to bring back their stability and Arab identity,” said the Egyptian statement.
The statement further said that the participation of Egypt's navy and air force came after meeting the constitutional procedures to restore stability and legitimacy in Yemen.
Meanwhile, Al Akhbar newspaper reported statements by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during Arab summit preparatory meeting that took place Thursday.
Terrorism, posing the largest threat to national security, requires effective measures to combat and dry up its sources, Shoukry said, adding that the confrontation should not be restricted to the security and military aspects.
Despite ongoing efforts on the military and security tracks to curtail the spread of terrorism over borders, a comprehensive confrontation that includes the economic, social and cultural dimensions is needed, the Egyptian foreign minister told the Arab summit's preparatory meeting in Sharm El Sheikh.
The dangerous Yemeni developments would have spilled over outside the country's borders if speedy and effective action was not taken, he said.
Al Gomhuria newspaper said the Arab Ministerial Council announced its support for Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen.
The Council expressed its support for the military operation carried out by the Arab coalition to defend legitimacy in Yemen" the Council said in a statement on Thursday.
The Council voiced hope that the military action could bring security and stability back to Yemen, and to confront any attempts by the Houthis and their allies to destabilize Yemen and the whole region.