Mohammed bin Salman’s Visit to Egypt Amid Rising Tensions in the Red Sea

Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, traveled to Cairo on October 17, 2023, to meet with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt. This visit occurs as tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis of Yemen have reached a peak, with Houthi threats intertwined with the security of the Red Sea and two main energy and trade routes in the region.

Increased Threats in the Red Sea

The Houthis have expanded their threats in the southern Red Sea and increased control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the most important maritime routes in the world, raising pressure on shipping and trade. At the same time, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has also impacted energy exports from the Persian Gulf, putting Saudi Arabia at risk of simultaneous disruptions in its two main maritime routes. In this context, the security of the Red Sea has become a new axis of cooperation between Riyadh and Cairo.

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Economic and Security Implications for Egypt and Saudi Arabia

Egypt, which controls the Suez Canal, is deeply concerned about the negative repercussions of Houthi threats on its economy. Any disruption in Bab el-Mandeb could have devastating effects on Suez Canal revenues, which are directly tied to Egypt's economic security. For Saudi Arabia, the security of export routes and oil facilities is of high importance. In this situation, Saudi Arabia seeks to reduce the vulnerability of its export routes, while Egypt aims to prevent the Red Sea from becoming a permanent conflict zone.

Recent developments, including the attack on the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia, which will be out of operation for several weeks due to damage, have raised concerns about Saudi Arabia's ability to deliver crude oil to the market. This pipeline transports oil from the Gulf ports in eastern Saudi Arabia to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast, and any disruption in this route could lead to rising oil prices and pressure on global supply.

Currently, Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Egypt is more than just a routine meeting. This visit reflects Saudi Arabia's efforts to reassess its network of security relations and partnerships amid the expansion of regional warfare. Egypt, as a country that primarily bears the cost of maritime disruption, must consider whether it should play a more active role in shaping security arrangements in the Red Sea.

Ultimately, the threats posed by the Houthis and damage to Saudi Arabia's oil export infrastructure have created the reality that the security of energy routes cannot be ensured solely by rerouting shipments. Political cooperation and security coordination between Saudi Arabia and Egypt could be a key component of these two countries' partnership in preventing the escalation of conflict and maintaining freedom of navigation.

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