Saudi Arabia Pushes for Coalition to Secure Red Sea Shipping Routes

Saudi Arabia is pushing to establish an international coalition to protect ships navigating the Red Sea from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The move comes as tensions escalate between the two sides, with the Houthi rebels attempting to secure control over the Red Sea.

The Saudi government is discussing the creation of a coalition with dozens of countries to safeguard vessels sailing through the Red Sea. This effort aims to prevent the Houthi rebels from imposing tolls on ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthi rebels declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia on the 20th, blaming the country for the bombing of Sanaa Airport in Yemen's capital. They then attacked two Saudi oil tankers on the 23rd, leading to retaliatory airstrikes by Saudi Arabia on the port of Hodeidah.

The conflict has significant implications for global trade, as disruption of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would severely impact oil exports from Saudi Arabia. The country would lose vital export routes if the Houthi rebels take control of this strategic waterway, mirroring the concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Iran conflict.