Saudi Arabia has officially announced the creation of an international maritime defense coalition. This initiative aims to protect shipping and critical energy routes in the Red Sea. The decision is a direct response to a series of attacks by Yemeni Houthis, which have posed a serious threat to one of the planet's key trade corridors in recent weeks.
Scale of International Participation
The Kingdom's Ministry of Defense reported holding an international meeting dedicated to launching the coalition. Representatives from 43 countries, including delegates from the European Union, participated in the negotiations. Riyadh is acting as the founding state and plans to host the headquarters of the new alliance on its territory.
According to the Saudi military department, a joint statement supporting the creation of the coalition has already been signed by 14 states. However, among the Gulf countries, Oman and the United Arab Emirates have not yet joined the document.
Strategic Goals and Areas of Responsibility
According to the initiators, the new alliance is intended to strengthen maritime security, guarantee freedom of navigation, and protect international trade routes. Special attention will be paid to ensuring security in the area of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden—chokepoints through which major energy supplies pass.
Preconditions for Escalation
The initiative arose against the backdrop of a sharp deterioration of the situation in the region. On July 20, Yemeni Houthis, linked to Iran, announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Following this, the group reported a series of attacks on vessels associated with the Kingdom.
On the international stage, the issue of free navigation has already been raised by US President Donald Trump. He promised to "deal with" the Houthis if they attempt to completely block the strait, which could have catastrophic consequences for the global economy.
