Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting with representatives from more than 50\ncountries on Thursday to discuss the formation of a multinational\nmaritime defence coalition intended to strengthen security in the Red\nSea and surrounding areas. The initiative was proposed by Saudi Arabia\nfollowing attacks by the Yemeni Shia group, the Houthis, on Saudi\nvessels in the Red Sea and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait in retaliation for\nthe blockade of Yemen.<\/p>\n
The Saudi Ministry of Defence stated that the meeting, which included\ndefence chiefs from friendly nations and representatives from the\nEuropean Union, discussed Riyadh\u2019s initiative to form a coalition to\nenhance defence cooperation and protect shipping lanes in the Red Sea,\nthe Gulf of Oman, and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait. According to the Saudi\nMinistry of Defence, Saudi Arabia would serve as the headquarters for\nthe coalition if its formation is realised.<\/p>\n
Fourteen countries, including T\u00fcrkiye, Egypt, and Pakistan, issued a\njoint statement supporting the establishment of the multinational\nmaritime defence coalition. These nations expressed support for the\nsteps agreed upon during the meeting to form the alliance, according to\nthe Saudi Ministry of Defence statement.<\/p>\n
On 20 July, the Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi\nships in response to the Saudi blockade of Yemen. Furthermore, on\nMonday, the Saudi Ministry of Defence accused pro-Iranian armed groups\nin Iraq of attempting to attack oil facilities in Riyadh and the eastern\nregion of Saudi Arabia. However, groups belonging to the \u2018Islamic\nResistance in Iraq\u2019 alliance have denied involvement in attacks against\nSaudi facilities, claiming that Saudi Arabia is reluctant to admit that\nthe attacks were carried out by the Houthis in Yemen and is unable to\nretaliate. The Houthis have also confirmed attacks on facilities that\nsupport oil exports from fields in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia to\nthe Port of Yanbu in the Red Sea.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/saudi-arabia-pushes-for-multinational-maritime-defence-coalition-1785466709", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }