OREANDA-NEWS   Egypt is ready to use the army to protect Saudi Arabia from the Houthis. This is reported by Reuters.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has asked parliament for permission to use the armed forces if Riyadh requests appropriate assistance.

The Egyptian National Defense Council supported the provision of comprehensive support to the Kingdom. Cairo linked Saudi Arabia's security to the national security of Egypt and Arab countries, while calling for diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region.

"To provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary and possible forms of support to protect its security and stability," the Egyptian administration said in a statement.

Earlier, the forces of the Shiite military-political movement Ansar Allah (Houthis) destroyed an Apache helicopter of the Saudi Arabian Air Force. Yahya Saria, a military spokesman for the movement, said the helicopter was "carrying out hostile actions" in the direction of Houthi positions on the border.