Saudi Arabia: 15 Countries Sign Declaration to Form Maritime Coalition

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that 15 countries have signed a declaration to form a multinational maritime defence coalition. “The number of countries that have signed the joint statement has reached 15. Meanwhile, 13 countries have completed their national procedures, signed the coalition charter, and officially announced their accession,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X. The statement followed the third meeting of coalition planners held on Thursday in Jeddah. “This marks the actual launch of the coalition towards the institutional and operational activation phase, while other countries continue to complete the necessary national procedures to join the coalition,” the statement added. The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed that while the coalition will be led by a Saudi commander, the deputy commander position will be filled by a representative from Pakistan. Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries announced the formation of the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition on 30 July, aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation, international trade, and energy supply lines in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. On 6 August, Saudi Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri was appointed as the coalition’s commander.