“`html
Saudi Arabia has officially launched a multinational maritime defence coalition aimed at protecting shipping routes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The alliance, announced on Thursday following its third meeting in Jeddah, includes 13 member states that have completed formal accession procedures, with 15 countries total having signed the founding declaration. Participating nations include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, and Yemen, among others.
The coalition will operate through information sharing, joint intelligence efforts, coordinated naval exercises, and collaborative military operations. Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri has been appointed as commander, tasked with overseeing joint defence initiatives and coordinating between member states. Officials indicate the alliance remains open to additional countries, with applications from further nations reportedly under review.
The initiative emerges amid escalating regional tensions, particularly attacks on commercial vessels by Iran-backed Houthi fighters operating from Yemen. These incidents have disrupted critical maritime commerce and prompted international concern about freedom of navigation. However, analysts caution that the coalition’s success remains uncertain, noting that previous maritime security efforts in the region produced mixed results despite political significance.
Experts suggest the alliance’s real impact will depend on whether member states can translate political commitments into effective operational measures. The coalition also represents Saudi Arabia’s effort to reframe regional security threats as international concerns requiring coordinated responses rather than unilateral action.
“`
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
About the Author
