Saudi Arabia Announces New Maritime Defence Alliance

Riyadh — Saudi Arabia has announced the formation of a multinational maritime defence alliance intended to protect shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. The announcement followed a meeting in Riyadh organised by the Saudi Ministry of Defence, attended by military leaders and representatives from 43 countries and the European Union (EU), according to the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.

Fourteen nations released a joint declaration to support the alliance, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia. According to the declaration, the alliance serves as a defence framework designed to enhance maritime security, protect freedom of navigation, and secure international trade routes and energy supply lines within the specified waterways.

The declaration noted that participation in operational activities remains a sovereign decision for each member nation, in accordance with their respective national laws. Saudi Arabia will act as both a founding member and the leader of the alliance, and will host its permanent headquarters.

This move comes amid escalating regional tensions and following the Yemeni Houthi group’s announcement of a maritime ban on Saudi Arabian shipping activities on 20 July, alongside claims of several attacks against Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. These waterways have become increasingly critical for Saudi oil exports amidst various disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz triggered by US-Iran tensions. The Bab al-Mandab Strait serves as a crucial maritime chokepoint connecting the Gulf of Aden to the southern Red Sea, acting as an irreplaceable artery for global energy shipments and international trade to and from the Suez Canal.