Saudi Arabia forms a maritime defense coalition with 14 nations to secure the Bab al-Mandab Strait and protect global trade routes.
Saudi Arabia has rallied 14 nations to join a maritime defense coalition aimed at securing the Bab al-Mandab Strait and safeguarding global trade routes, reports Agence France-Presse.
The Saudi defense ministry stated that the alliance includes Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen. Its primary objective is to protect navigation, energy supply lines, and shared maritime interests in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
This initiative follows threats from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, who last week announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia and claimed responsibility for attacks on its oil tankers and infrastructure. The strait is a vital artery for Saudi crude exports, especially after Gulf routes were disrupted by the U-Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz.
Riyadh hosted a meeting attended by representatives from 43 countries, along with an EU delegation. Fourteen nations confirmed their support for the alliance, while others are still considering their participation. The ministry indicated that 51 countries and organizations had been invited to join.
Earlier this month, Saudi forces and the Houthis exchanged fire, marking the first clashes in years and raising concerns about the fragile truce agreed upon in 2022.
