Egypt's president said Saturday that securing the Bab al-Mandab access to the Red Sea off Yemen's coast is a top priority, nine days after Cairo joined a Saudi-led offensive against Yemeni rebels.
"Securing navigation in the Red Sea and protecting Bab el-Mandab Strait is a top priority for Egypt's national security," Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in a statement.
The Red Sea is at the southern end of the Suez Canal, through which much of the world's maritime trade passes.