Yemen31 July, 20262 min read
Saudi Arabia Leads Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition to Safeguard Bab al-Mandab Strait
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Saudi-led coalition formed with 14 nations to protect Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb shipping. Riyadh hosted the founding meeting; 43 attended; 14 joined initially, with more joining later.
Bab al-Mandeb Coalition
Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries announced the creation of a multinational maritime defense coalition aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation, international trade and energy supply routes in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The announcement came in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of an international meeting hosted by Riyadh, where chiefs of staff and representatives from 43 countries, as well as a delegation from the European Union, took part to discuss ways of enhancing the security of international maritime routes.
The founding states said participation in the coalition's activities would remain a sovereign decision for each member state, stressing that the alliance is "purely defensive in nature, does not target any state, alliance or international organization". Saudi Arabia was designated the coalition's founding and leading state and permanent headquarters, with the Joint Operations Coordination Center, the Joint Maritime Operations Center and the General Secretariat to be based in the kingdom.
Houthi Threat and Signatories
The move came amid escalating threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group declared what it called a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20 and subsequently claimed attacks on Saudi-linked vessels. The joint statement backed the creation of the maritime coalition, listing 14 countries including Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Bangladesh, Yemen and the Comoros.
Al Jazeera said the representatives of 43 countries – out of 51 that were invited – participated in the meeting for the establishment of the alliance, and noted that the EU already has a naval protection mission, Aspides, in the Red Sea. Al Jazeera also reported that the statement said the alliance is "purely defensive in nature and does not target any state," while the route has faced repeated attack from Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen.
What Comes Next
The Saudi Defense Ministry said participants reached understandings on finalizing the establishment procedures, including the final draft of the alliance charter and completing the necessary organizational structures and technical arrangements, paving the way for the alliance's launch and the commencement of its operations. The joint statement said the coalition was established as a "framework for maritime defense cooperation" aimed at enhancing maritime security, protecting freedom of navigation, securing international trade and energy supply routes, and safeguarding maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The statement also called for strengthening cooperation in maritime security, intelligence and information sharing, operational planning, joint exercises, exchange of lessons learned, training, capacity building and joint maritime operations in accordance with the coalition's charter. In parallel, the sources tied the coalition to the Houthi blockade and the disruption of oil shipments diverted to the Red Sea, with Al Jazeera saying the Houthi rebel group in Yemen imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia last week.