Egypt and Saudi Arabia Press for Secure Red Sea Navigation
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Mohammed bin Salman discussed maritime access and a political settlement to Yemen’s conflict as disruptions weigh on Egypt’s Suez Canal revenue.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has backed Saudi Arabia’s call for secure and unhindered navigation through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait during talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo.
According to the Egyptian presidency, el-Sisi described the security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states as integral to Egypt’s national security. The leaders also discussed efforts towards a sustainable political solution to Yemen’s conflict.
The Saudi Press Agency said Mohammed bin Salman stressed the importance of maintaining secure navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. His delegation included Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and other senior officials.
The meeting came as Houthi forces were reported to have taken coastal territory in Yemen, including Mocha port, and to have targeted Saudi-linked ships. Claims about territorial control and shipping incidents have not been independently verified in the supplied material.
The disruption has carried a direct economic cost for Egypt. The Suez Canal Authority estimated that the country lost approximately US$7 billion in canal revenue between 2023 and 2024, equivalent to about 60 per cent of revenue. Egypt has so far avoided military action to counter the reported disruption of tanker traffic.
