Saudi Arabia Launches 14-Nation Red Sea Maritime Defence Coalition

Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition to protect shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden from Houthi attacks. Riyadh hosted representatives from 43 of 51 invited countries plus the EU; 14 states signed the founding statement, including Turkiye, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Sudan and the Comoros. The coalition covers intelligence sharing, joint exercises and maritime operations, and was described as 'purely defensive' and not targeting any state. The UAE and Oman notably did not join. The initiative followed the Houthis' July 20 blockade declaration, which threatened the Yanbu export route Saudi Arabia had relied on since the Strait of Hormuz closure.