Saudi Arabia, 13 other nations agree to maritime defence alliance amid Red Sea attacks
Saudi Arabia has formed a multinational maritime defense alliance with 13 other nations to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi rebel attacks. The coalition aims to secure vital energy and trade routes through increased surveillance and intelligence sharing.
Why it matters
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical global chokepoint for energy and trade; instability here directly impacts global oil prices and supply chains.
Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced a multinational maritime defence alliance to safeguard commercial shipping and energy routes in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, as the kingdom seeks to counter escalating attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.The Saudi defence ministry said representatives from 43 countries and the European Union attended an international meeting that discussed the proposed coalition, including Saudi Arabia serving as its founding and leading state and hosting its headquarters.Saudi Arabia said the new coalition will coordinate efforts to secure freedom of navigation, protect commercial vessels and energy infrastructure, and strengthen maritime surveillance across the Red Sea region. The alliance will also facilitate intelligence sharing, joint naval patrols and coordinated responses to threats on the route.Fourteen countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, issued a joint statement endorsing the proposed coalition.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in