IRIA News

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Saudi Arabia is moving to activate a multinational maritime defense coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation, international trade and strategic waterways in the Red Sea, Bab El-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense said 15 countries have signed the coalition’s joint statement, while 13 have completed their domestic procedures, signed the coalition charter, and formally joined the alliance.

The announcement came after the coalition’s third planning meeting in Jeddah, where representatives from 39 countries discussed the structure and preparations needed to move the initiative toward institutional and operational activation.

Saudi Rear Adm. Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri, who was appointed commander last week, will lead the coalition. The first deputy commander will be from Pakistan, giving Islamabad a senior role in the emerging maritime security framework.

Coalition Toward Operational Activation

The coalition has already designated its headquarters, approved an official logo, and completed organizational and planning frameworks, according to the Saudi Ministry of Defense.

The next phase will focus on integrating officers and personnel from member states into the coalition’s command structure, as well as developing maritime and intelligence operations.

“The measures are intended to accelerate the development of the coalition’s operational capabilities and enhance its readiness to carry out defensive missions within its area of responsibility,” the ministry said.

Saudi officials have emphasized that the coalition is defensive in nature and is not directed against any particular country, organization or alliance. It is expected to operate in accordance with international law while respecting national sovereignty and freedom of navigation.

Which countries are part of the Red Sea defense maritime alliance?

The Saudi Ministry of Defence announced that 15 countries have signed a declaration, 13 of which have fully joined the coalition so far.

The first countries to sign up for the alliance include Bahrain, Bangladesh, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkiye and Yemen.

The ministry has described the initiative as an open international coalition for countries that share its objectives and principles.

The coalition will also remain open to additional members. Saudi officials said several countries have expressed interest in joining and that participating states are continuing the domestic procedures required for membership.

Focus on Red Sea and strategic waterways

The coalition is being established around some of the world’s most important maritime routes. The Bab El-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and provides a critical link between the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and European markets. The Red Sea itself is an important route for commercial shipping between Asia and Europe.

Disruptions in these waterways can affect international trade, energy supplies and global supply chains. The coalition therefore aims to create a permanent multinational framework capable of coordinating maritime defense efforts and responding to threats to commercial shipping.

Saudi Arabia announced the initiative in July following a meeting in Riyadh attended by representatives from 43 countries. Fourteen countries initially joined the alliance, including Saudi Arabia, before the membership and participation framework was further developed.

The latest announcement indicates that the coalition is moving beyond its initial political formation toward establishing permanent command and operational structures.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, participating countries will work on information and intelligence sharing, operational planning, military capability development, and joint naval activities.

Pakistan is expected to play a prominent role in the coalition’s command structure, with the first deputy commander to be appointed from the country.

The decision comes shortly after Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye strengthened defense cooperation through a trilateral defense pact committing the three countries to cooperation on security matters.

The maritime coalition could provide an important practical framework for expanding that cooperation, particularly given Pakistan’s naval capabilities and its geographic position along major maritime routes connecting the Middle East with the Indian Ocean.

Türkiye has also confirmed its participation in the coalition’s establishment process. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense said a technical meeting was held in Riyadh on July 28 to discuss ensuring freedom of navigation through the Bab El-Mandeb Strait. A meeting of chiefs of general staff followed on July 30, while Turkish officials also participated in a coordination meeting in Jeddah on August 13.

“Work continues with the Saudi Arabian authorities to reduce tensions in the Gulf region and ensure the uninterrupted flow of international trade,” the Turkish ministry said.

Turkiye’s participation adds another significant regional military power to the initiative and could strengthen cooperation between Ankara, Riyadh and Islamabad in maritime security.

Houthi Attacks Raise Pressure on Shipping

The coalition is being developed amid heightened risks to commercial shipping across the Red Sea and surrounding waterways. Houthi forces in Yemen have previously targeted commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, creating concerns over the security of one of the world’s key maritime corridors.

The threat has become more significant following disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Any prolonged disruption to Hormuz could place additional pressure on the Red Sea and Bab El-Mandeb routes as shipping companies seek alternative paths for moving energy and other goods.

The Houthis have also threatened Saudi maritime interests. Their attacks and threats have raised concerns that the Bab El-Mandeb could face further disruption, potentially affecting oil shipments and other commercial traffic moving between the Middle East and global markets.

The Saudi-led coalition seeks to address these risks through a broader multinational framework rather than relying solely on individual countries. Its establishment also reflects growing concern among regional states that threats to maritime routes can quickly become international security and economic problems.

From Political Agreement to Military Coalition

The main challenge for the coalition will now be translating its political commitments into an effective operational structure.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense has stressed the importance of reaching operational readiness and carrying out the coalition’s assigned missions. That will require participating countries to establish clear command arrangements, communication procedures and mechanisms for sharing intelligence and coordinating naval forces.

The coalition will also need to determine how its forces will operate alongside existing international maritime security initiatives in the region.

Previous multinational maritime operations have demonstrated both the benefits and difficulties of coordinating forces from numerous countries with different capabilities, priorities and rules of engagement.

The new coalition’s effectiveness will therefore depend not only on the number of participating countries but also on their willingness to contribute personnel, naval assets, intelligence and logistical support.

Its defensive mandate could make cooperation easier by limiting the coalition’s stated purpose to protecting maritime security, freedom of navigation and commercial shipping.

At the same time, continued attacks against vessels could test the limits of that mandate and determine how the coalition responds to threats in practice.

Growing Regional Security Cooperation

The creation of the coalition represents a broader effort by Saudi Arabia to build multinational mechanisms for addressing threats to strategic waterways.

The participation of 39 countries in the latest planning meeting, combined with the 15 countries that have signed the joint statement, indicates significant international interest in the initiative.

The coalition’s membership also brings together countries from the Gulf, Red Sea region, South Asia and North Africa, creating a geographically broad framework for maritime cooperation.

Saudi officials have argued that maritime security is a shared international responsibility because disruptions to major waterways can affect countries far beyond the immediate region.

The coming months will determine whether the coalition can turn that broad political support into a functioning maritime security organization.

With its command structure now taking shape, Saudi Arabia and its partners are preparing for the next stage: integrating personnel, developing operational capabilities and establishing a system capable of responding to threats to shipping and strategic waterways.

The appointment of a Saudi commander and a Pakistani first deputy commander, alongside Turkiye’s participation and the involvement of other regional states, gives the coalition a significant regional dimension as it moves toward operational readiness.