Saudi Arabia forms 14-nation maritime coalition to protect Red Sea

Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday the creation of a 14-nation maritime coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandeb strait, following weeks of attacks and a blockade by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. The coalition, headquartered in Saudi Arabia, is described as "purely defensive" and aims to "enhance maritime security, protect freedom of navigation, secure international trade routes and energy supply lines, and safeguard common maritime interests," according to a statement from the Saudi Defense Ministry Source: hoydo. The announcement came after a meeting of chiefs of staff and representatives from 43 countries plus the European Union, with 14 nations signing the founding document Source: infobae.

Background

The escalation began on July 13, when the Houthi-controlled Sanaa airport was bombed; the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia and responded with strikes on Saudi energy facilities and oil tankers. On July 20, the Houthis declared a formal maritime blockade in the Red Sea Source: infobae. Saudi Arabia had already redirected its crude exports to the Red Sea due to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, leaving its export capacity under a double threat Source: infobae.

Coalition details

• The coalition includes Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen's internationally recognized government, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia Source: hoydo.
• The United Arab Emirates and Oman are not part of the initiative, despite shared security concerns Source: infobae.
• Members will conduct joint operations, intelligence sharing, and coordinated exercises, with other countries invited to join Source: infobae.

Reactions

The Yemeni government accused the Houthis of trying to imitate Iran by imposing passage fees on ships, which could raise oil prices Source: hoydo. The Houthis have been attacking merchant vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, prompting two prior international missions: EU-led Operation Aspides and US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian Source: infobae.