CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday stressed the need to safeguard freedom and security of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea amid escalating regional tensions.
The two leaders held talks in Cairo, where regional security and developments in Yemen were among the key issues discussed.
The Egyptian presidency said both sides emphasised the importance of ensuring safe maritime navigation through the strategically important waterway.
Sisi also expressed Egypt’s support for measures taken by Saudi Arabia to protect its security and stability, according to the presidency.
He further backed efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and sustainable political solution to the Yemen crisis.
The discussions come as security concerns around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have intensified following recent advances by Yemen’s Houthi forces along the Red Sea coast.
The group has seized strategically important positions and islands near the waterway, raising concerns over international shipping and energy supplies.
The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a critical maritime chokepoint for global trade and energy shipments.
Reuters reported that petroleum volumes passing through the strait reached around 7.4 million barrels per day in June, equivalent to roughly 7% of global oil output.
Saudi Arabia has faced increasing security pressure from the conflict in Yemen, while shipping activity through the Red Sea has been affected by attacks and threats against vessels.
Riyadh has also sought greater international support to counter the Houthi threat.
The meeting between Sisi and Mohammed bin Salman reflects growing coordination between Cairo and Riyadh over maritime security, regional stability and the Yemen conflict.