Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans for a multinational maritime defence coalition spanning the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, bringing together eight coastal states including five African nations in a move that highlights the region's growing strategic importance as geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions intensify.
The initiative, announced by the Saudi Ministry of Defence, aims to strengthen coordination among Red Sea littoral states to safeguard one of the world's busiest maritime corridors, which carries an estimated 12% of global trade and serves as a critical route for oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and container shipments between Europe, Asia and Africa.
The coalition comprises Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Yemen, alongside the African states of Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry said the proposed coalition is intended to "protect international maritime corridors, ensure the security of commercial and energy routes, and strengthen collective maritime defence cooperation" across the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden
The announcement comes as security concerns in the Red Sea continue to mount following months of attacks on commercial vessels linked to the broader conflict involving the United States, Iran, Israel and Tehran-backed armed groups.
