Saudi Crown Prince Seeks Egypt’s Backing as Houthi Offensive Displaces More Than 100,000

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has met Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo as the expanding Houthi offensive in Yemen creates a new regional security crisis.

Saudi Arabia is seeking regional support as the Iran-aligned Houthi movement advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast while continuing attacks against Saudi infrastructure.

The Houthis have seized Mokha and strategic islands around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, according to the Associated Press.

The gains strengthen their position around one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

Following their meeting, Saudi Arabia and Egypt stressed the importance of maintaining freedom and security of navigation through the Red Sea.

The fighting is also producing a rapidly growing humanitarian crisis.

The UN refugee agency says more than 100,000 people have now been internally displaced by the conflict.

Thousands more have escaped Yemen by sea to Djibouti.

The World Health Organization says more than 500 people were killed during the past week of fighting, according to AP.

The Houthis are a Zaydi Shia Islamist political and military movement aligned with Iran. Their political and military activity should not be generalised to Shia Muslims more broadly.

The latest territorial gains combine with the Houthis’ existing missile and drone capabilities to increase their potential influence over shipping through Bab el-Mandeb.

Saudi Arabia is now seeking Egyptian backing as it confronts both attacks on its own infrastructure and a Houthi advance along the opposite side of the Red Sea.

Sources

• Associated Press – Saudi crown prince seeks Egyptian backing as Houthi offensive expands
• Reuters – Yemen conflict displaces more than 100,000 people