Saudi Arabia Forms Red Sea Coalition to Counter Houthi Attacks
The Saudi Arabian government has announced the formation of an international maritime defence coalition for the Red Sea, following the maritime blockade imposed by the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The coalition is intended to strengthen cooperation amidst rising regional tensions and frequent attacks on major shipping routes in these strategic waters.
As reported by Al Arabiya and Anadolu Agency on Friday (31/07/2026), the initiative was revealed by the Saudi Ministry of Defence following a meeting hosted in Riyadh. The meeting brought together representatives from 43 nations and the European Union on Thursday (30/07) local time.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence stated that the coalition will protect international shipping lanes, freedom of navigation, and global trade, specifically within the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden.
This move comes after the Iran-backed Houthis imposed a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia starting 20 July. The Houthis have also claimed responsibility for attacking Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea that they deemed to be in violation of the blockade.
At present, the formation of the coalition is supported by 14 nations, including Saudi Arabia, out of the 43 countries in attendance. Signatories to the joint statement supporting the coalition include Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, and Bangladesh.
The United States military, which also attended the Riyadh meeting, was represented by the Commander of the US Marine Corps Central Command (MARCENT), Lieutenant General Joseph Clearfield, and the US Embassy’s defence attaché in Riyadh.
In a joint statement, the founding members of the coalition declared that the alliance is “purely defensive, does not target any nation, alliance, or international organisation, and will conduct all activities in full compliance with international law while respecting national sovereignty and protecting freedom of navigation.”
The statement also designates Saudi Arabia as the founding member and leader of the coalition, with its permanent headquarters to be located in the kingdom. During the Riyadh meeting, attendees also discussed the draft charter of the maritime defence coalition, its organisational structure, command and control arrangements, and future operational mechanisms.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence emphasised that all participants have reached an agreement regarding the procedures for establishing the coalition, including the final draft of the coalition charter, paving the way for its launch and commencement of operations.
The Ministry of Defence further noted that this maritime defence coalition is an international defence initiative open to all nations wishing to join.
“The door remains open for other countries to join the coalition charter once they have completed their national procedures,” the Saudi Ministry of Defence concluded in its statement.