RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Rear Adm. Abdullah bin Salem Alshehri has been appointed the commander of Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition for key regional waterways, the Kingdom’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
The appointment is a part of the continued implementation of the foundational arrangements for the coalition, which was created on July 30, 2026, and will enhance its operational readiness, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The decision “reflects the commitment of the founding states to completing the coalition’s command structure, thereby strengthening its readiness to carry out its defense mission in support of maritime security.”
The report added that the coalition would be “safeguarding freedom of navigation, securing maritime routes and strategic straits, and protecting international trade and global supply chains.”
The commander will lead joint maritime defense operations, operational planning and coordination among member states and with other maritime coalitions, and direct the implementation of joint activities and missions.
