Egypt holds talks with Houthi rebels, Iran to reduce regional tensions

Egyptian officials are conducting talks with representatives from the Houthi group in Yemen as well as with Iran in an attempt to reduce tensions in international waters, Arabic-language news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported on Friday.

In recent days, “intensive Egyptian security meetings have taken place with prominent leaders from the Ansar Allah group,” an anonymous Egyptian official told the news outlet, using the Houthi group’s official title.

Cairo reportedly criticised the 12 January US and UK-led strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, as well as  subsequent US strikes, saying it believes the answer to ending the Houthi blockade in the Red Sea is not militaristic.

“It is better to push for a solution that accelerates the end of the main cause, which is the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip,” the Egyptian official told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

The Houthis have stated that they are targeting ships with ties to Israel as a show of support for Palestinians in Gaza and in a bid to pressure Israel to stop the onslaught in the besieged strip.

As part of Egypt’s efforts to calm international waters, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is expected to visit Cairo in the coming days, the news outlet added.