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Saudi-led naval alliance
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that 14 countries—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia—issued a joint statement supporting a project to establish a multinational defensive naval alliance aimed at enhancing maritime security and protecting international sea lanes.
“14 countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, and Jordan, issued a joint statement”
The ministry said the Kingdom hosted a meeting attended by the heads of the general staffs and representatives from 43 countries, along with the European Union delegation to the Kingdom, out of 51 invited states and organizations, to discuss the alliance’s founding arrangements and draft charter.
The participants discussed rising threats to maritime security, including attacks on merchant ships, energy carriers, and maritime infrastructure, and the risks they pose to the safety of maritime navigation, the stability of global supply chains, and the international economy.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense said the alliance’s founding and leading state would be Saudi Arabia, which would host its headquarters, and that work would continue to complete the final draft of the alliance charter and reference documents before signing and launching the alliance.
CNN Arabic reported the meeting was held to discuss the Saudi initiative to establish the multinational defensive naval alliance, within the framework of efforts to strengthen maritime security, protect international sea lanes, and counter threats targeting maritime navigation and global trade.
Threats and regional pressure
The Saudi Ministry of Defense said the participants discussed the draft charter and organizational structure, including command and control arrangements and operating mechanisms, to confront common maritime threats in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
CNN Arabic said the meeting came amid threats facing maritime routes, most notably the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions continued between Iran and the United States.
The same report said the Iran-backed Ansar Allah (the Houthis) group announced a blockade on the movement of Saudi vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea.
The Media Line framed the initiative as a Saudi-led security initiative intended to protect commercial shipping, energy supply lines, and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden, following recent threats to maritime traffic.
The Media Line added that Saudi officials said the coalition’s charter and operational framework were still being finalized, with additional countries able to join after completing domestic procedures.
Next steps and signatories
The Saudi Defense Ministry said the meeting’s outputs included a joint statement confirming support for the coalition project and agreeing on founding arrangements, with 14 countries listed as signatories.
“16 Safar 1448 AH corresponding to 30 July 2026 AD”
صحيفة سبق الإلكترونية said the Ministry of Defense hosted the meeting on Thursday, 16 Safar 1448 AH corresponding to 30 July 2026 AD, with participation by chiefs of staff and representatives from 43 countries and the European Union Delegation to the Kingdom, out of 51 invited states and organizations.
The report said participants agreed to continue the work of military planners from countries wishing to join in the next phase to complete the final draft of the charter and reference documents, finalize the organizational structure and command-and-control arrangements, and form the necessary legal and technical frameworks.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense also affirmed that the multinational defensive naval coalition represents an open international defense initiative welcoming all countries that share its goals and principles, in accordance with their national procedures.
Arab News FR said the alliance would serve as a framework for cooperation in maritime defense, aiming to strengthen maritime security, protect the freedom of navigation, secure international trade routes and energy supply routes, and preserve shared maritime interests in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
