Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi backed Saudi calls for secure, uninterrupted Red Sea navigation after meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo. The leaders stressed that Gulf security is integral to Egypt's national security and urged a political solution to the Yemen conflict. Their talks came as Houthi forces seized Mocha port and gained de facto control of the Bab al‑Mandeb, threatening international shipping. The disruption has cost Egypt an estimated $7 billion in Suez Canal revenues between 2023 and 2024, and Cairo has so far avoided military confrontation.
Sisi Meets MBS, Backs Saudi Call For Secure Red Sea Passage As Houthis Advance
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo on Tuesday [Saudi Press Agency/SPA]
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el‑Sisi voiced support for Saudi Arabia's call for safe and uninterrupted navigation through the Red Sea after meeting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo, the Egyptian presidency said.
The visit on Tuesday included a senior Saudi delegation led by the crown prince and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Officials said both sides reaffirmed close bilateral ties and cooperation on regional security.
Relations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia can only be exemplary within the Arab framework, and the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states is an integral part of Egypt's national security, the presidency said.
Both leaders also underscored the importance of pursuing a sustainable political solution to the Yemen conflict, as Houthi advances in recent days have shifted control of coastal areas vital to maritime traffic.
Houthi Advance and Shipping Risks
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the crown prince emphasized securing navigation through both the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait and the wider Red Sea — a strategic choke point that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal.
The visit coincided with Houthi forces seizing the port of Mocha and establishing effective control over the Bab al‑Mandeb, heightening concerns for international shipping. Although the Houthis say they will not block maritime traffic, vessels linked to Saudi interests have been attacked in recent months.
Economic Impact On Egypt
The sharp decline in Red Sea transit has hurt Egypt's economy, which depends heavily on Suez Canal tolls for foreign currency. The Suez Canal Authority reported that Egypt lost roughly $7 billion between 2023 and 2024, about 60% of the canal's revenues.
Despite official reassurances and regional pressure, Egypt has so far refrained from taking military action to stop the Houthi disruptions affecting tanker traffic in the Red Sea.
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