Saudi Arabia Announces 14-Nation Maritime Defense Coalition
Saudi Arabia has announced the formation of a new 14-nation maritime defense coalition in response to threats from the Iran-backed Houthi movement and its claimed attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
According to the announcement, the coalition includes Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Yemen, and several other partner nations. Its primary mission is to safeguard commercial shipping and enhance maritime security across the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden—some of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.
Saudi officials said the initiative is intended to strengthen regional cooperation, deter attacks on civilian and commercial vessels, and ensure the uninterrupted flow of international trade through the waterways.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions in the region following Houthi claims of attacks targeting Saudi-linked oil tankers. The coalition is expected to coordinate naval patrols, intelligence sharing, and joint security operations to protect maritime traffic.
The Houthis have not immediately responded to the announcement, while the full operational details and deployment timeline of the coalition have yet to be disclosed.