Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Tuesday with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to shore up support as Yemen's Houthi rebels escalate attacks on Saudi shipping and infrastructure, actions that have rattled global oil prices. The increased rebel activity has further threatened oil exports from the Red Sea, a critical artery for global trade.

Saudi Arabia has largely been confronting the Iranian-backed Houthis on its own. In recent days, the rebels have captured more territory in Yemen, including the Red Sea port of Mokha and three strategic islands near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime choke point. These advances enhance the Houthis' ability to disrupt Saudi oil shipments to Asia.

The vulnerability of Saudi oil infrastructure was highlighted by a recent attack that damaged its East-West Pipeline, reportedly carried out by Iran-allied militias in Iraq. Regional officials estimate the pipeline will be shut down for weeks for repairs, potentially removing millions of barrels of oil daily from the market.

This Houthi offensive has opened a new front in the region's conflicts, strengthening the position of Iran, Saudi Arabia's main rival. Iran has also targeted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.

During the meeting in Cairo, Crown Prince Mohammed and President el-Sissi affirmed a "shared commitment to ensuring freedom and security of maritime navigation" in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. El-Sissi's office stated Egypt's "unwavering position in supporting Saudi Arabia."

While Egypt is unlikely to provide direct military aid, its influence in the Arab world can help rally broader support. Egypt has maintained relations with various regional actors, including Iran and its allies, and has been involved in mediation efforts.

The Houthi control of territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the wider ocean, allows them to interdict Saudi shipping, a tactic they have employed since late July.

Saudi Arabia has appeared hesitant to launch a large-scale military campaign against the Houthis, concerned about provoking further attacks on its oil facilities and being drawn back into a full-scale war in Yemen. The kingdom now faces a decision on whether to escalate its military response or pursue a diplomatic resolution.

The United States, a key Saudi ally, has shown unpredictability, with President Donald Trump appearing reluctant to expand involvement in the region's conflicts ahead of congressional elections. The United Arab Emirates, which previously partnered with Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, has withdrawn its forces from Yemen.

Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping have also impacted Egypt's economy, reducing traffic through the Suez Canal and affecting revenues. The recent shutdown of the East-West Pipeline, which has been used to transport Saudi oil exports, is expected to further curtail shipments for weeks.

Analysts note that Egypt's role is likely to be primarily political, offering backing among Arab nations for Saudi actions. "There's genuine international consensus that the Houthis cannot be allowed to hold a choke point like Bab al-Mandeb hostage," said H.A. Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress.

However, some nations are cautious about cooperating with Saudi Arabia due to past experiences in Yemen, where the coalition formed in 2015 has largely dissolved amid internal disputes.

The Houthi advances have inflicted significant defeats on Saudi-allied forces in Yemen, reviving a conflict that had seen a lull under a 2022 truce. Fighting in the past week alone has resulted in over 500 deaths, a notable increase from the previous week, according to the World Health Organization. The conflict has also displaced nearly 94,000 people.

Civilian casualties have also risen, with Save the Children reporting at least 117 civilians killed between August 1 and September 9, including 19 children. The first week of September saw the highest weekly toll of child casualties recorded by the group in a year.

Saudi airstrikes have also led to civilian deaths in Yemen, with claims of three people, including two children, killed in Taiz province, though the AP could not independently verify these reports. On Monday, Saudi military spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki reported that Houthi missile and drone attacks in southern Saudi Arabia wounded 13 civilians and damaged property.

The Houthis control Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and much of the north, while the internationally recognized government and its allies hold the south and east, including Aden and the country's oil fields.