SANAA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Yahya Ali al-Ra'i, speaker of Yemen's House of Representatives, on Saturday urged Egypt not to become militarily involved in the escalating conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.
In a letter to Egyptian House of Representatives Speaker Hisham Badawi, Yahya Ali al-Ra'i called on Cairo to refrain from military involvement and instead support efforts toward a political settlement in Yemen.
In the letter, he accused Saudi Arabia of abandoning previous de-escalation efforts and intensifying military operations against Houthi-held areas, calling for an end to hostilities and respect for "Yemen's sovereignty."
The speaker warned that Egyptian military involvement could further complicate the conflict and have repercussions for regional stability, while appealing to what he described as Egypt's longstanding support for Yemen's unity and stability.
The appeal came as Egypt's House of Representatives prepared to hold an emergency session at 1 p.m. local time on Sunday, at the request of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Speaking at a military academy graduation ceremony earlier Saturday, Sisi said Egypt was prepared to take any measures requested by Saudi Arabia to defend the kingdom's security and sovereignty, but stressed that such action would require parliamentary approval.
He said any potential Egyptian intervention would be strictly defensive rather than aimed at waging war.
Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized control of the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government.
The latest developments come amid renewed hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, with both sides exchanging attacks and military warnings in recent days. ■
