Saudi Arabia hosted a summit Thursday evening to establish a multinational maritime coalition aimed at protecting international shipping lanes, according to a report in ynet.
Saudi Arabia hosted a summit on Thursday evening to formalize the establishment of a multinational maritime coalition to protect international shipping lanes, according to a report by ynet. The initiative is part of Riyadh's broader diplomatic push to secure the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical waterway for global trade and energy supplies.
The summit capped a day of diplomacy. Earlier Thursday evening, The Zioneer reported that Saudi Arabia had convened a conference of 43 nations and the European Union to discuss the proposed alliance. Subsequently, the Saudi Defense Ministry announced that 14 countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt, had issued a joint statement of support for the coalition. The Zioneer's coverage documented the rapid progression from consultations to formal endorsement within the same evening.
The push for a maritime coalition follows months of Saudi diplomatic efforts, as The Zioneer reported on July 29, amid ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and threats to Red Sea shipping. The coalition is intended to operate alongside existing international efforts to secure the region's waterways.
It remains unclear which countries have formally joined the coalition beyond the 14 expressing support, and the operational framework and timeline have not been disclosed.
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