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Saudi Arabia’s MBS visits Egypt as Red Sea crisis with Houthis escalates

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visits Egypt at a time the kingdom faces repeated Houthi attacks, while the Iranian-backed rebels close in on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, threatening maritime security.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks on upon his arrival during a welcome ceremony as part of his two-day official visit to France, at the Hotel des Invalides, Paris, France, Aug. 24, 2026.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looks on upon his arrival during a welcome ceremony as part of his two-day official visit to France, at the Hotel des Invalides, Paris, France, Aug. 24, 2026. — Julie SEBADELHA / AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman departed for Egypt on Tuesday for a working visit as the kingdom seeks broader regional coordination amid mounting pressure from Houthi attacks.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is scheduled to host the Saudi crown prince for talks on ways to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries and expand cooperation.

The latest regional and international developments will be addressed during their meeting, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement on Monday.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss efforts to secure freedom of navigation in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, following the Houthis’ advances along Yemen's western Red Sea coast over the weekend. 

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