Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, traveled to this country to meet with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt. This visit comes at a time when tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen have significantly increased, and their threats to the Bab al-Mandab Strait and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, two main energy and trade routes in the region, are at risk.
Houthi Threats and Pressure on Maritime Routes
Mohammed bin Salman's trip to Cairo occurs during one of the most sensitive security moments in the region. The threat from the Houthis is no longer just a Yemeni or Saudi issue, but it also relates to the security of the Red Sea and the flow of energy and trade in the region. In the southern Red Sea, the Houthis have expanded their threats, and their control over Bab al-Mandab has increased pressure on one of the most important maritime routes in the world. At the same time, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has also put pressure on energy exports from the Gulf, creating a risk of simultaneous disruptions in both main maritime routes.
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Common Interests of Saudi Arabia and Egypt
The importance of this issue for Egypt is very high due to its control over the Suez Canal and its impact on the country's economy. Any prolonged disruption in Bab al-Mandab could lead to a decrease in the passage of ships through the Suez Canal and an increase in transportation and insurance costs. For Saudi Arabia, maintaining the security of export routes and ensuring a safe maritime environment for oil exports and imports of goods is one of its main priorities.
Saudi Arabia seeks to reduce the vulnerability of its export routes, and Egypt also wants to prevent the Red Sea from becoming a permanent arena of conflict. In this regard, Saudi Arabia may seek political and security coordination with other Arab countries to manage the consequences of escalating the crisis. Additionally, Cairo could play a more prominent political role without entering into direct conflict.
These concerns grew when the vital East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia, which transports oil from Gulf ports to the port of Yanbu, was damaged in an attack. This pipeline is likely to be out of service for several weeks due to the damage, which could affect oil prices and Saudi Arabia's ability to deliver crude oil to the market.
Mohammed bin Salman's trip to Cairo under these circumstances is part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to reassess its network of security relations and partnerships in the face of the expansion of regional warfare. The issue of Red Sea security has become a convergence point of economic and security interests for Riyadh and Cairo.
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