Saudi-Led Coalition Aims to Secure Vital Trade Routes Through Bab al-Mandeb

Saudi Arabia has announced the creation of a maritime military coalition to protect freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance includes Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries, with the goal of safeguarding international trade routes and energy supply routes.

The move comes as the United States-Iran conflict has focused on the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20 percent of global oil and gas exports. The Bab el-Mandeb-Red Sea-Gulf of Aden route has come under repeated attack from Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen.

The representatives of 43 countries participated in the meeting for the establishment of the alliance, including a European Union delegation. However, neither the United Arab Emirates nor Oman have signed up to the coalition.