Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday the establishment of a Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance involving 14 countries to safeguard freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.

The coalition aims to protect international trade routes and energy supply lines through this strategic corridor linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean. The move comes amid heightened US-Iran tensions centered on the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen reduced traffic.

Recently, Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen have repeatedly attacked the Bab al-Mandeb-Red Sea-Gulf of Aden route. Representatives from 43 of 51 invited countries attended the founding meeting, including a European Union delegation.

The EU already operates the Aspides naval protection mission in the Red Sea; it remains unclear how the Saudi-led coalition will differ. Signatories include Turkey, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Sudan, and the Comoros.

Notably, the United Arab Emirates and Oman did not join despite shared security concerns. The alliance is headquartered in Saudi Arabia, with activities including intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and maritime operations.

The coalition is described as purely defensive. Last week, Houthis imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait carries 10-12% of global maritime trade, and any disruption could spike energy prices worldwide.

Source: www.aljazeera.com