Amman, March 26 (IANS): The Jordanian government announced on Thursday that it will participate in the military operation in Yemen against the Shia Houthi movement "to support the legitimacy in Yemen", referring to Yemeni President Abdo Rabbu Mansour Hadi, Efe news agency reported.

According to official Jordanian news agency Petra, Jordan's involvement in Operation al-Hazm Storm, the name given to the joint response, "is part of a coordinated effort in support of Yemen's security and stability".

At the same time, Petra quoted a Jordanian governmental source as saying that Amman advocated a political process in Yemen involving all parties.

Jordan's involvement also reflected "the historical ties" between Jordan and the Arab states in the Persian Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia, which was leading the campaign and has already bombed Houthi positions, the source added.

As for the military intervention, the source did not discuss any details and refused to comment on the possibility of a ground operation.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain -- members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) -- decided early on Thursday morning to respond to the request of the Yemeni president for a military intervention to repel the Houthi offensive.

The GCC states, with the support of Egypt and Jordan, stressed that "the coup" perpetrated by the Houthis in Yemen constituted a threat to the security and stability of Yemen and the region.