Saudi Arabia pushes for multinational maritime defence coalition

Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting with representatives from more than 50 countries on Thursday to discuss the formation of a multinational maritime defence coalition intended to strengthen security in the Red Sea and surrounding areas. The initiative was proposed by Saudi Arabia following attacks by the Yemeni Shia group, the Houthis, on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait in retaliation for the blockade of Yemen.

The Saudi Ministry of Defence stated that the meeting, which included defence chiefs from friendly nations and representatives from the European Union, discussed Riyadh’s initiative to form a coalition to enhance defence cooperation and protect shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait. According to the Saudi Ministry of Defence, Saudi Arabia would serve as the headquarters for the coalition if its formation is realised.

Fourteen countries, including Türkiye, Egypt, and Pakistan, issued a joint statement supporting the establishment of the multinational maritime defence coalition. These nations expressed support for the steps agreed upon during the meeting to form the alliance, according to the Saudi Ministry of Defence statement.

On 20 July, the Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi ships in response to the Saudi blockade of Yemen. Furthermore, on Monday, the Saudi Ministry of Defence accused pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq of attempting to attack oil facilities in Riyadh and the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. However, groups belonging to the ‘Islamic Resistance in Iraq’ alliance have denied involvement in attacks against Saudi facilities, claiming that Saudi Arabia is reluctant to admit that the attacks were carried out by the Houthis in Yemen and is unable to retaliate. The Houthis have also confirmed attacks on facilities that support oil exports from fields in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia to the Port of Yanbu in the Red Sea.