Saudi, Egypt Demand Free Red Sea Navigation as Houthis Seize Coast

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Tuesday, with both leaders demanding free and secure navigation through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating Houthi attacks. The meeting came as Yemen's Houthi movement seized control of the country's entire Red Sea coast and the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, threatening vital shipping routes for Saudi oil exports and Egyptian Suez Canal revenues. The Egyptian presidency stated that Sisi affirmed Egypt's support for measures taken by Saudi Arabia to protect its security and stability. Both leaders called for ensuring freedom and security of maritime navigation through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab straits, according to the presidency's statement. The Houthis have been engaged in renewed fighting with Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces since Yemen's civil war reignited in July. In a lightning offensive last week, the group seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which has become vital to Saudi crude exports as the wider regional conflict disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.