Saudi Crown Prince Visits Egypt Amid Houthi Attacks, Pipeline Shutdown

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman departed for Egypt on September 15 for a state visit focused on bilateral cooperation and regional developments amid escalating Houthi attacks and a shutdown of a key Saudi oil pipeline.

The visit follows a series of Houthi missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia, which wounded 13 civilians and prompted emergency alerts in Mecca, Jeddah, and Taif. The Houthis have also seized key positions along Yemen's Red Sea coast, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route. Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, which carries approximately 4 percent of global oil supplies, remains non-operational for an estimated three to five weeks following a drone strike blamed on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond firmly to the Houthi attacks. The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the situation. Saudi Arabia has reportedly sought intelligence assistance from Israel and military advisors from the UK, while the US has resisted direct military intervention. Pakistan, a partner in a mutual-defense pact, has reportedly ruled out deploying troops.