Egyptian Warships Shell Houthis Outside Yemeni City of Aden: Reports

Egyptian warships shelled a column of Houthi fighters and troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh as they tried to advance on the southern port city of Aden on Monday, according to reports.

Yemeni journalist Abdel-Aziz El-Meguidi told Ahram Online via phone that naval forces had struck Houthi reinforcements heading from Shokra to Aden.

Reuters quoted residents as saying that the vessels were believed to be Egyptian warships that sailed last week through the Suez Canal toward the Gulf of Aden, in the first known report of naval forces taking part in the conflict.

Sky News also cited unnamed sources confirming the same news, saying the warships are Egyptian.

Egypt is a member of the Saudi-led coalition that has been targeting Houthi positions to stem their advance on Aden, a last foothold of fighters loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

No comment was immediately available from Egyptian officials.

Source: Ahram Online