Saudi Arabia and Egypt warn of the Houthi threat in the Red Sea. Mohammed bin Salman and al-Sisi call for free navigation in Bab al-Mandab

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi discussed on Tuesday in Cairo the threat posed by the Houthi rebels’ control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The two leaders called for maintaining free and safe navigation in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia warned that it would respond “firmly” to attacks launched by the Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels. The discussions focused on the risks to regional security and maritime traffic through one of the world’s main trade routes.