On July 30th, Riyadh hosted the founding meeting of the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance, a new group for collective defense to “protect freedom of navigation, secure international trade routes and safeguard energy supply lines across the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.” On Thursday, Saudi Arabia designated Vice Adm. Abdullah bin Salem Alshehri as commander of the alliance.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday the appointment of Major General Abdullah al-Shehri as commander of the Multinational Maritime

Coalition announced on July 30 aims to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks