Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense announced the establishment of a 14-nation multinational maritime coalition to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, according to Saudi media. The coalition, which excludes Israel, includes Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Gulf states, and aims to counter Houthi threats to international trade routes.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday the formation of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition, a 14-nation alliance to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks. The announcement followed a meeting in Ruwada that included military representatives from 43 countries, as well as the European Union, according to Saudi officials.
The coalition's founding members include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia. The initiative aims to secure the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden — chokepoints for global trade that have been repeatedly targeted by Iran-backed Houthi forces.
Israel was not invited to join the coalition, despite its strategic interest in Red Sea security and its own ongoing counter-Houthi operations. The exclusion aligns with Riyadh's cautious approach to normalization amid the war in Gaza and regional tensions.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Thursday, the coalition builds on months of Saudi diplomatic efforts and follows a series of Houthi drone and missile attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. The Saudi Ministry of Defense had previously demonstrated its air defense capabilities by intercepting multiple drones launched from Iraq.
10 developments
- StrongSaudi Arabia reportedly working to establish international Red Sea coalition against Houthi attacks
- StrongHouthis declared naval siege on Bab el-Mandeb last week, sparking Saudi confrontation
- DevelopingHouthi military spokesman declared naval blockade against Saudi Arabia
- StrongHouthis complete preparations to attack vessels in southern Red Sea, deploy missiles and drones near Bab el-Mandeb
Source and signal
- Open-source intake