Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday, 31 July, the establishment of a new multinational maritime defense coalition alongside 13 partner countries, in a move aimed at strengthening security across key shipping routes in the Middle East.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Riyadh, attended by chiefs of staff and military representatives from 43 countries, as well as a delegation from the European Union. According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, more than 50 countries and international organizations were invited to participate either in person or virtually.
The newly established Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition is designed to enhance cooperation among participating countries to protect freedom of navigation, secure international trade routes and energy supply lines, and safeguard maritime security in the Bab El-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
The coalition’s 14 founding members are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia.
According to a joint statement issued following the meeting, the coalition will operate in accordance with international law, United Nations conventions, and established international maritime norms. Member states emphasized that the alliance is purely defensive and is not directed against any state, alliance, or international organization.
Saudi Arabia will serve as both the coalition’s founding and leading state, with its permanent headquarters based in the Kingdom.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over threats to maritime security in the region, including attacks on commercial vessels, energy tankers, and critical maritime infrastructure. Participants at the Riyadh meeting discussed the risks these incidents pose to international shipping, global supply chains, and the wider global economy, highlighting the need for greater multilateral cooperation to protect one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
Military representatives also reviewed a draft charter for the coalition, along with its proposed organizational framework, command-and-control arrangements, and operational mechanisms. Countries intending to join the coalition will continue working to finalize these documents before completing their respective national procedures and formally launching the alliance.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense said the coalition will remain open to additional countries that share its objectives and principles, describing the initiative as part of the Kingdom’s broader commitment to collective maritime security and international cooperation.
The ministry added that the coalition reflects Saudi Arabia’s belief that protecting international maritime routes is a shared responsibility requiring sustained coordination among nations to safeguard freedom of navigation and global trade.
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