Saudi Arabia Seeks Global Alliance to Secure Red Sea Shipping Routes

Saudi Arabia hosted an international meeting in Riyadh to create a multinational maritime defense alliance aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The meeting was attended by chiefs of staff and representatives from 43 countries, as well as a delegation from the European Union. This effort aims to counter threats to global navigation and trade, including the security of commercial vessels, oil tankers, and maritime infrastructure.

The participants discussed ways to strengthen multilateral defense cooperation to protect supply chains and the global economy. They also explored the draft alliance charter, its organizational structure, command and control arrangements, and future operational mechanisms.

At the conclusion of the meeting, 14 countries issued a joint statement declaring their support for the alliance, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, Turkiye, Djibouti, Somalia, Bangladesh, Yemen, and the Comoros. The door remains open for other countries to join after completing their national procedures.