Saudi Arabia Unveils a Multinational Red Sea Maritime Security Coalition; Oman and the UAE Were Not Among the Statement's Backers

Saudi Arabia's defence ministry on Thursday, 30 July 2026, unveiled plans for a multinational maritime defence coalition aimed at protecting international shipping and energy supply routes in the Red Sea region. According to Reuters, the ministry said representatives from 43 countries and the European Union attended an international meeting that discussed the proposed coalition, including Saudi Arabia serving as its founding and leading state and hosting its headquarters.

The ministry said the coalition would strengthen maritime security, safeguard freedom of navigation, and secure international trade routes and energy supply lines in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. Fourteen countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, issued a joint statement supporting the proposal. Among the six Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Oman and the United Arab Emirates were not listed among the countries backing the statement.

The announcement follows the Houthis of Yemen, described by Reuters as Iran-aligned, saying on 20 July that they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, and subsequently claiming a series of attacks on Saudi-linked shipping. Saudi Arabia has responded with air strikes on what it said were Houthi military facilities in Hodeidah.