Saudi Arabia leads 14-nation maritime alliance in Red Sea
Houthi warn of a “comprehensive escalation” as the coalition is formed to secure Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Saudi Arabia has formed a Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance with 13 other countries to secure shipping lanes in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Riyadh is both a founding member and the host of the alliance’s permanent headquarters. According to the joint declaration, the initial members include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and Comoros. The coalition will focus on intelligence sharing, information exchange, operational planning, joint military exercises and maritime operations. The move comes as Houthi attacks have disrupted shipping and Saudi oil shipments through the Red Sea. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi then warned of a “comprehensive escalation” if Saudi military operations are expanded.