Egyptian air force joins operation to retake Yemen base

Egyptian air force joins operation to retake Yemen base
The Egyptian air force supported Yemeni troops against the Houthis in the fight to retake control of al-Anad airbase south of Yemen.
1 min read
03 August, 2015
The Egyptian air force has supported pro-government forces in Yemen [Getty]

The Egyptian air force supported pro-government forces when they attacked al-Anad airbase south of Yemen.

"Egyptian air forces and paratroopers aerial supported Yemeni ground forces who have now seized the military base killing scores of Houthi rebels," sources told al-Araby al-Jadeed Monday.

Egyptian sources told al-Araby al-Jadeed in April 700 troops from Egypt's Rapid Intervention Force travelled to Saudi Arabia to take part in ground operations in Yemen if needed.
 
"Rapid Intervention troops may be deployed to help prepare for a ground intervention if phase two of Operation Decisive Storm is launched," sources said at the time.

Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has said he supports the operation in Yemen.

Previously Egypt has only participated by deploying naval assets off the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb between Yemen and the Horn of Africa.​