Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries have established the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition aimed at protecting shipping in key waterways of West Asia such as Bab El-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden, in accordance with the provisions of international law.
The announcement came after military figures from dozens of countries met in Riyadh to discuss the alliance.
The founding members of the coalition include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia.
The coalition aims to tackle the growing challenges facing global maritime security.
As per the announcement, the alliance will serve as a framework for maritime defence cooperation, aimed at enhancing maritime security, protecting freedom of navigation, securing international trade routes and energy supply lines.
Member states said the coalition is purely defensive in nature, does not target any state, alliance, or international organisation, and conducts all its activities in full compliance with international law, respect for state sovereignty, and the protection of freedom of navigation.
Saudi Arabia is the founding and leading state of the coalition and serves as its permanent headquarters.
Source: AIR
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