Bin Salman seeks help from the Egyptian president in light of Bab Al-Mandeb developments, and the latter advises him to avoid escalation

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman returned to knocking on the Egyptian door on Thursday amid rapid developments in Yemen.

Exclusive – Al-Khabar Al-Yemeni:

Bin Salman made a call to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for the first time in months, as the relationship between the two parties had been characterized by a rift in light of the Egyptian rapprochement with the UAE.

The Egyptian presidency stated that the call discussed regional developments, indicating that El-Sisi affirmed the necessity of reducing the current regional escalation to preserve peace and stability in the region, considering that tensions increase the risk to energy security and supply chains.

Egypt is one of the most prominent countries in the Red Sea basin, and it had previously refused to engage in the Red Sea coalition that Saudi Arabia officially launched earlier on Wednesday, according to the Kingdom’s announcement.

It is unclear whether the call was to convince Cairo to join the coalition or to discuss new diplomatic channels. However, its coincidence with developments in Bab Al-Mandeb, one of the most important navigation passages in the Red Sea, indicates escalating Saudi concerns.