Riyadh: Saudi Arabia is seeking to build an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, two people familiar with the deliberations said on Wednesday.The composition of the coalition has not yet been finalised and is being discussed with dozens of countries, the sources said.Also Read: Yemen's Houthis considering fees for ships sailing through Red Sea, sources sayThe Saudi Center for International Communication did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The Iran-aligned Houthis said on July 20 they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea in response to what they described as a Saudi siege on Yemen, an allegation Riyadh has denied.Also Read: China holds talks with Houthis to allow tankers via Red SeaSince then, the Houthis said they have launched attacks on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has responded with air strikes on what it said were Houthi military facilities at Yemen's Hodeidah port used to threaten commercial shipping.The blockade has opened a new front against the United States and its allies in the wider Iran war, expanding attacks on tankers carrying energy and other supplies to waters beyond the Gulf and pushing oil prices higher.
Saudi Arabia seeks coalition to secure Red Sea shipping
Saudi Arabia is seeking an international coalition to safeguard Red Sea shipping lanes. This initiative aims to counter ongoing Houthi attacks which threaten commercial vessels. The Houthis previously declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. Riyadh has responded with air strikes targeting Houthi military facilities. These actions have opened a new front in regional conflicts and impacted oil prices.
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