Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia conducted a state visit to Egypt on Tuesday amid escalating attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi territory. The trip aimed to underscore a sense of normalcy and stability despite recent security challenges that have rattled regional oil markets.
The meeting took place in Cairo, where the crown prince held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. According to Egyptian state media, both leaders pledged to safeguard freedom of navigation through key maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Red Sea. President Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to defend its national security and to achieve a comprehensive, sustainable political solution to the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
The visit occurred against the backdrop of intensified hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. The rebels launched a series of drone and missile strikes on Saudi towns, injuring more than a dozen civilians and damaging homes. Among the targeted locations was the King Khalid air base in Khamis Mushait, attacked on Monday as part of Houthi retaliation for over 300 Saudi air strikes in Yemen during the previous five days.
Saudi military spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki confirmed that attacks also hit the towns of Abha and Taif, resulting in 13 civilian injuries classified as minor to moderate. In response to these threats, authorities issued emergency alerts in several cities, including Jeddah, Yanbu, Taif, and Al-Ulah, advising residents to follow safety protocols. However, there were no verified incidents of strikes in these urban areas, and daily life reportedly continued without interruption.
The renewed violence marks a significant deterioration after a four-year ceasefire had helped temper Yemen’s civil war. Since July, the Houthis have escalated their campaign against Saudi Arabia, focusing on Saudi energy infrastructure and maritime targets. Most recently, the rebels launched a rapid advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, dislodging Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and consolidating control near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. This strategic waterway serves as an alternative export route for Saudi oil shipments to Asia, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, and is a critical link for global shipping through the Suez Canal.
The renewed attacks and Houthi advances have driven crude oil prices to levels last seen in mid-May, reflecting growing concerns over supply disruptions. Saudi Arabia’s intervention in the Yemen conflict began in 2015, leading a coalition to counter the Houthi takeover of Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, and to restore the internationally recognized government. The recent escalation suggests that regional tensions remain high, with significant implications for security and economic stability in the Middle East.