 From Yemen , as from Egypt , the Ayyubids aimed to dominate the Red Sea trade routes which Egypt depended on and so sought to tighten their grip over the Hejaz , where an important trade stop , Yanbu , was located . To favor trade in the direction of the Red Sea , the Ayyubids built facilities along the Red Sea @-@ Indian Ocean trade routes to accompany merchants . The Ayyubids also aspired to back their claims of legitimacy within the Caliphate by having sovereignty over the Islamic holy cities of Mecca and Medina . The conquests and economic advancements undertaken by Saladin effectively established Egypt 's hegemony in the region . 
