Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition Begins Operations from Saudi Headquarters

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition has moved into operation from its headquarters in Saudi Arabia, marking the start of its institutional and operational phase.

Pakistan’s Commodore Rashid Sheikh has taken up his post as deputy commander. Liaison officers from member states and countries completing accession procedures have also begun work at the headquarters. Other representatives will join in stages according to the number of posts assigned to each country.

The activation followed the completion of arrangements approved at the coalition’s third planning meeting in Jeddah in August. Representatives from 39 countries attended that meeting. Saudi Arabia has appointed the coalition commander, Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri, while member states agreed that the first deputy commander would come from Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia announced the coalition in late July as an international defensive initiative open to all countries. It aims to strengthen maritime security, protect international waterways and global trade, and counter emerging threats. Its stated area of focus includes the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The coalition says securing international waterways requires coordinated action and that its work will protect freedom of navigation, trade routes, supply chains and energy resources. It operates under the United Nations Charter and international law, and says it does not target any country or organization. The coalition also says it respects state sovereignty and will remain exclusively defensive.