Founding members approve Saudi-led maritime defense alliance to safeguard Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and Gulf of Aden

According to the Saudi Gazette, founding members have officially approved the establishment of a new Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance. The coalition is designed to serve as a formal framework for maritime security cooperation, with Saudi Arabia designated as the lead nation and the site for the alliance's permanent headquarters and joint command centers.

In a joint statement released on Thursday, the participating states emphasized that the initiative is a response to escalating threats against global maritime security. The alliance aims to protect freedom of navigation, secure international trade routes, and safeguard energy supply lines traversing critical waterways, including the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. The member nations stated that all operations will be conducted in strict accordance with international law and United Nations conventions.

As part of the organizational structure, the alliance will establish a Joint Maritime Operations Center and a General Secretariat based in Saudi Arabia. This move marks a significant step in regional efforts to coordinate naval responses to security challenges in the area. The announcement follows a period of heightened concern regarding the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea, which has become a focal point for international maritime security discussions.