Saudi Arabia has proposed the establishment of a 43-nation maritime coalition to protect Red Sea trade routes from Houthi attacks, according to reports. Military representatives from 43 countries, excluding Israel, met in Ruwada on Thursday to discuss the initiative, which aims to secure the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
Saudi Arabia has proposed a 43-nation maritime coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks, in a development that expands on the 14-nation coalition announced earlier this evening. Military representatives from the 43 countries, which do not include Israel, met in Ruwada on Thursday to discuss the initiative, which aims to secure the Bab el-Mandeb strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The proposal comes hours after the Saudi Defense Ministry announced the 14-nation Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition at 19:23 Jerusalem.
The 14-nation coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia, was announced by the Saudi Defense Ministry at 19:23 Jerusalem. Earlier reports by The Zioneer had detailed the diplomatic push: on Wednesday, Jul 29, 23:45 Jerusalem, Saudi Arabia was reported to be working on an international coalition; on Monday, Jul 27, 18:22 Jerusalem, Iraqi Shia militias joined Houthi strikes on Saudi oil facilities, including the Abqaiq plant; and on Saturday, Jul 25, 11:36 Jerusalem, reports emerged of a planned joint US-Israel-Gulf military operation against Iran and the Houthis. The evolution of the coalition from a 14-nation framework to a 43-nation proposal reflects the escalating threat to Red Sea shipping.
The push for a larger coalition follows weeks of intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, including a drone strike on the Abqaiq facility on July 27 attributed to Iran-backed militias operating from Iraq, as The Zioneer reported. The proposal's exclusion of Israel comes despite earlier reports of potential joint operations involving the Jewish state and Gulf states against the Houthis and Iran, as reported by The Zioneer on Jul 25.
It remains unclear whether the 43-nation initiative is intended to replace or complement the 14-nation coalition, and whether other nations may join. The exclusion of Israel, despite earlier reports of coordination, also remains a notable element.
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
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