Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, 12 other countries announce multinational maritime defence coalition

Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries, including Pakistan, on Thursday announced plans to establish a multinational maritime defense coalition to protect freedom of navigation, secure international trade and energy supply routes, and strengthen security across the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, representatives from 43 countries and the European Union attended an international meeting where participants discussed the proposed alliance. Saudi Arabia is expected to serve as the coalition's founding member, lead the initiative, and host its headquarters.

The ministry said the coalition would focus on enhancing maritime security, ensuring the safe passage of commercial shipping, safeguarding vital energy corridors, and protecting shared maritime interests in the strategically important waterways.

A joint statement issued by 14 supporting countries—including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, and Djibouti—endorsed the initiative. However, Oman and the United Arab Emirates were not among the Gulf states that backed the declaration.

The founding members emphasized that joining the coalition would remain a sovereign decision for each country. They described the alliance as strictly defensive, stating that it is not directed against any country, alliance, or international organization and will operate in accordance with international law while respecting national sovereignty and freedom of navigation.

The statement characterized the coalition as a framework for maritime defense cooperation designed to improve maritime security, protect global trade and energy supply routes, and safeguard navigation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden in line with international law, UN conventions, and internationally accepted standards.

Participating countries agreed to continue completing their domestic legal procedures before formally joining the coalition's charter. The statement also highlighted plans to deepen cooperation through intelligence sharing, operational planning, joint military exercises, training, capacity building, the exchange of expertise, and coordinated maritime operations.

The Saudi Defense Ministry said the meeting focused on growing threats to maritime security, including risks facing commercial vessels, oil tankers, and critical maritime infrastructure. Delegates also examined ways to strengthen multilateral defense cooperation to safeguard global supply chains and support the international economy.

Officials discussed the coalition's draft charter, organizational framework, command and control arrangements, and future operational mechanisms. The ministry said participants reached broad agreement on finalizing the alliance's charter, completing the required organizational structures, and putting in place the technical arrangements necessary to launch operations.

Saudi Arabia described the coalition as an international defense initiative that remains open to additional countries willing to join after completing their national approval procedures. The alliance aims to enhance regional and international stability while protecting global trade and freedom of navigation from threats targeting key maritime routes.

The announcement followed reports by Reuters that Saudi Arabia was seeking to form an international coalition to counter Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

The Houthis announced on July 20 that they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea and have since claimed responsibility for several attacks on Saudi-linked vessels. Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes targeting what it says are Houthi military facilities in Yemen's Hodeidah used to threaten commercial shipping.

The latest escalation in the Red Sea reflects the broader regional conflict involving Iran, with attacks on shipping extending beyond the Gulf and contributing to higher global oil prices.

The Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the southern Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints for international trade and energy shipments.

The European Union launched a naval mission in the Red Sea in 2024 to help protect freedom of navigation after Houthi attacks disrupted commercial shipping, which the group said were carried out in support of Palestinians during the Gaza war.