First non-Russian LNG cargo in over a year transits through Bab el Mandeb

Given Egypt’s significant revenue from the Suez Canal, the country has a strong incentive to ensure the security of the sea lanes leading to it. Any attacks on these routes reduce the number of passing ships, decreasing overall tonnage and ultimately cutting into the profits of shipowners. Egypt also possesses a large and well-equipped military, fully capable of addressing threats like the Houthis. While concerns about the optics of direct intervention may be a factor, how long can Egypt afford to tolerate these losses?