Saudi Arabia rallies 14 nations to protect key Red Sea shipping route
Saudi Arabia has formed a 14-nation maritime defense alliance to protect shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This move follows threats and attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis against Saudi oil infrastructure and tankers.
Why it matters
The security of this maritime artery is critical for global energy supply chains and regional stability in the Middle East.
RIYADH, July 31 — Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it had set up a maritime defence alliance to secure navigation around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The move comes after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis said last week they were imposing a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, and claimed attacks targeting Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and oil infrastructure in the kingdom.
The narrow maritime artery has been a critical waterway for delivering vast quantities of Saudi crude to the international market, after energy exports from the Gulf were largely choked off by the US-Iranian standoff in the Strait of Hormuz.
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