Saudi Arabia said Thursday it hosted an international meeting in Riyadh to finalize the creation of a multinational maritime defense alliance aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Anadolu reports.
In a statement, the Saudi Defense Ministry said the meeting was attended by chiefs of staff and representatives from 43 countries, as well as a delegation from the European Union to discuss ways of enhancing the security of international maritime routes and counter threats to global navigation and trade.
It said the meeting addressed the growing threats to maritime security, including the security of commercial vessels, oil tankers, and maritime infrastructure. It also explored ways to strengthen multilateral defense cooperation to protect supply chains and the global economy.
Participants also discussed the draft alliance charter, its organizational structure, command and control arrangements, and future operational mechanisms, the ministry said.
“This aims to establish an effective institutional framework for cooperation in confronting shared maritime threats in areas including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden,” it added.
