Sanaa will stand by Egypt if it stands with Rafah people: Al-Houthi

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
13 Feb 2024 01:23

The member of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen expresses hope that the rest of the Arab countries stand by the people of Rafah to deter the Israeli entity.

Member of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen, Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, speaks to a reporter during an interview with Associated Press in Sanaa, Yemen, on Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Member of the Supreme Political Council in Yemen, Mohammad Ali al-Houthi, affirmed that Sanaa will stand by Egypt if it stands with the people of Rafah in Gaza to prevent its invasion by Israeli occupation forces.

Al-Houthi expressed Yemen's readiness for strong, effective coordination with Egypt in this regard.

"We hope that the rest of the Arab countries stand by the people of Rafah in Gaza to deter the Israeli entity," he added.

This comes at a time when a ground invasion of the city of Rafah looms, as Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told troops to prepare for an offensive in the southern city, which now hosts more than half of Gaza's total population.

Foreign governments, including "Israel's" key ally the United States, and aid groups have voiced deep concern over Netanyahu's plan.

US President Joe Biden spoke to Netanyahu on the phone Sunday and told him the Rafah offensive should not go ahead in the absence of a "credible" plan to ensure "the safety" of people sheltering there, the White House said.

About 1.4 million Palestinians have crowded into Rafah, with many living in tents while food, water and medicine are becoming increasingly scarce.

In a related context, Hamas representative in Lebanon Ahmad Abdul Hadi told Al Mayadeen that the invasion of Rafah would prompt major reactions in the region and would escalate the war beyond what the United States desires.

He indicated that Netanyahu's threats regarding Rafah are, in part, aimed at "forcing the resistance compromise on its conditions."

Egypt threatens to suspend 'peace accords' if 'Israel' invades Rafah

Egypt has threatened to dissolve its normalization agreement with "Israel" if the occupation deploys condensed forces along its border with the Gazan city of Rafah.

Two Egyptian officials and a Western diplomat stated on Sunday that in case "Israel" makes the move, Egypt would be forced to block the Rafah crossing, currently the only humanitarian corridor that is supplying Gaza with relief aid.

This comes a day after Cairo sent warnings to "Israel" regarding their diplomatic relations - that may cease in case the Israeli forces launch a full-scale invasion of the city of Rafah, according to The Wall Street Journal.

"Any ground operation in Rafah would lead to an immediate suspension of the peace treaty between the two countries," the report indicated, citing sources.

The officials told the WSJ that a delegation from Cairo recently paid a visit to Israeli counterparts in "Tel Aviv" to specifically discuss the situation in Rafah.

"Israeli officials are trying to get Egypt to agree on some cooperation regarding the ground invasion, which Egyptian officials are resisting," the officials mentioned.

Approximately 5,000 to 6,000 ships recently crossed the Red Sea: Official

In a related context, the director of the Yemeni Maritime Affairs Authority in Hodeidah, Ibrahim Al-Mushki, told Al Mayadeen that Yemen is keen on implementing international regulations regarding the security of ships and port facilities, especially in the port of Hodeidah.

Al-Mushki affirmed that there is no cause for concern, as the Red Sea and maritime navigation are completely secure, highlighting that in the recent period, approximately 5,000 to 6,000 ships have crossed the Red Sea.

The official indicated that Yemen is committed to securing maritime navigation under international standards and agreements. He recalled that last month, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization reassured all shipping companies and maritime lines that navigation in the Red Sea is open and safe.

Al-Mushki pointed out that what threatens maritime navigation is the militarization of the sea and the military presence of British and American forces in the region, not the legal measures taken by Yemen in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

He revealed that the Yemeni authorities recently received information that the radars and communication devices of ships sailing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait are being jammed by US and British forces in the Red Sea, deeming the act as a blatant violation of international agreements that poses a danger to navigation.

The Yemeni official made it clear that Yemen is part of the international community and has common interests with all countries, in line with the independence of nations and the implementation of effective international agreements.

Elsewhere, al-Mushki expressed hope that Egypt stands with the Palestine people in Gaza to lift the imposed Israeli blockade.

It is noteworthy that Yemeni officials have reiterated that the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) only chose clear and specific targets to hit the Israeli enemy until the American and British forces became involved in the aggression against Yemen, which turned them into targets as well, reiterating that no other countries are being targeted by the YAF.