Saudi activates maritime defense coalition with 39 nations
New: 15 countries have signed the joint declaration, while 13 others completed national procedures and formally joined.
Saudi Arabia began operational activation of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition after the third planning meeting at the Western Fleet Command Headquarters in Jeddah on Thursday, attended by representatives from 39 countries. The Saudi Ministry of Defense said 15 countries have signed the joint declaration, while 13 others have completed national procedures, signed the coalition charter and formally joined. The coalition was formed to safeguard freedom of navigation, international trade and energy supply routes in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Saudi Arabia has named Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri as commander, with the first deputy commander from Pakistan.