Egypt and Saudi Arabia discuss Red Sea security amid Houthi threats

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi this week in Cairo, a meeting that came at a critical moment for both countries. Days before the visit, Houthi rebels seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast and took control of the Bab al‑Mandeb strait, the gateway to the Suez Canal. The move triggered a Saudi air campaign over Yemen and a series of attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure by the Houthis. Saudi Arabia is now seeking help to protect its own security and the flow of international shipping.

The timing of the talks is linked to Iran’s role in the conflict. Iran has backed the Houthis and other proxies across the region. Egyptian officials see the Houthi advance as a direct threat to the Suez Canal, which is a vital source of revenue for Cairo. Abdel Monem Said, a senior senator, said