- July 31, 2026
- Posted by: Tresmark
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Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced plans to establish a multinational maritime defence coalition to protect international shipping and energy supply routes in the Red Sea following repeated attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
According to Saudi Arabia's defence ministry, representatives from 43 countries and the European Union attended a meeting to discuss the initiative, with Riyadh set to serve as the coalition's founding member, leader, and host of its headquarters.
The proposed coalition aims to enhance maritime security, safeguard freedom of navigation, secure global trade and energy supply routes, and protect shared interests in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden.
A joint statement backing the initiative was issued by 14 countries, including Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Sudan, and Djibouti, while Oman and the United Arab Emirates were absent from the list of supporting Gulf states.
The announcement follows Houthi threats to impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea and a series of attacks on Saudi-linked vessels. Riyadh has responded with air strikes targeting Houthi military facilities in Yemen's Hodeidah.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, making it vital for global trade and energy exports. The European Union has maintained a naval mission in the Red Sea since 2024 to help protect commercial shipping and ensure freedom of navigation.
