Saudi Arabia seeks an international coalition to safeguard Red Sea shipping amid Houthi attacks and a declared blockade on Saudi vessels.
Al Jazeera reported that Saudi Arabia is seeking to form an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea after Yemen's Houthis announced a blockade and launched attacks on Saudi vessels.
Sources told Reuters that the coalition's composition is still under discussion with dozens of countries. This move comes as tensions rise in the Red Sea, adding to global economic concerns already strained by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
On July 20, the Houthis declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, accusing Riyadh of imposing a siege on Yemen for nearly 12 years. Since then, they have attacked Saudi ships, prompting Riyadh to launch air strikes on Houthi military sites at Hodeidah port.
The blockade has widened the US-Israel war on Iran, expanding attacks on energy tankers beyond the Gulf and driving oil prices higher. Gulf states have sought to avoid being dragged into the conflict, stating that it is not their war.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud spoke with counterparts in Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, who stressed the need to de-escalate tensions. They condemned attacks by Iran and allied militias in Iraq and Yemen and called for stronger Gulf Cooperation Council coordination.
Yemen's Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani accused the Houthis of acting under Iranian guidance to impose fees on ships transiting the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait. He described the move as a dangerous escalation aimed at turning the strategic corridor into a permanent source of funding for military activities.
