{
  "id": 7591679,
  "title": "Saudi, Egypt demand open Red Sea, as Riyadh vows to hit back against Houthis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/saudi-egypt-demand-open-red-sea-as-riyadh-vows-to-hit-back-against-7591679",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T16:54:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/saudi-egypt-demand-open-red-sea-riyadh-vows-hit-back-against-houthis-6386751"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia and Egypt have demanded unrestricted passage through the Red Sea, following the Houthis' takeover of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and attacks on Saudi-backed vessels. The Yemen conflict began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and Saudi Arabia led a coalition in response the following year. On Monday, a Houthi assault in western Yemen resulted in the death of eight government soldiers, according to two military sources.\n\nIn retaliation, Saudi Arabia conducted over 50 strikes, as reported by the Houthis, but these efforts have yet to reverse the group's advances. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday to deliberate on the Houthi offensive, according to diplomatic sources.",
  "summary": "Saudi Arabia and Egypt have called for safe and free navigation in the Red Sea after Yemen's Houthis took control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and attacked Saudi-linked ships. The two countries' leaders, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, met in Cairo to discuss the crisis. They emphasized the importance of ensuring the freedom and security of maritime navigation through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab straits.\n\nThe Houthis' control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait has become a critical issue for Saudi Arabia, as it is a vital route for the kingdom's oil exports. According to The National UAE, at least 73 people were injured in Houthi missile and drone attacks on four southern Saudi cities. The attacks prompted a precautionary shutdown of Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline.\n\nEgypt and Saudi Arabia have expressed their commitment to protecting the security and stability of the region. President El Sisi voiced support for measures taken by Saudi Arabia to defend itself from Houthi attacks, stating that the security of Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region is part of Egypt's national security. The two leaders' meeting comes as the Houthis have been engaged in renewed fighting with Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces since the country's civil war reignited in July.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Why Saudi Arabia's balancing act with US, Iran, Houthis risks collapse",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/why-saudi-arabias-balancing-act-with-us-iran-houthis-risks-collapse",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:55:33.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi deputy foreign minister discusses closer ties with Eritrean officials in Riyadh",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/saudi-deputy-foreign-minister-discusses-closer-ties-with-eritrean",
        "published": "2026-09-15T17:29:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Egypt’s el-Sisi meets MBS, backs Saudi call for secure Red Sea navigation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/egypts-el-sisi-meets-mbs-backs-saudi-call-for-secure-red-sea",
        "published": "2026-09-15T18:05:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}