Saudi Arabia forms maritime defense alliance to ensure navigation safety in Bab al-Mandab Strait

Saudi Arabia has announced the formation of a maritime defense alliance comprising 14 nations, aimed at safeguarding navigation in the strategically vital Bab al-Mandab Strait. This critical waterway connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and lies between Yemen and Djibouti.

The alliance's formation is a direct response to recent threats from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have declared intentions to blockade shipping and claimed attacks on Saudi oil tankers and facilities in the Red Sea. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a crucial chokepoint for Saudi oil exports, especially as the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions due to regional conflicts.

In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense outlined the alliance's objectives: to strengthen maritime security, uphold freedom of navigation, ensure the safety of international trade routes and energy supply chains, and protect shared maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.

The 14 founding members of the alliance include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen. Saudi Arabia had invited 51 countries and organizations to a meeting in Riyadh regarding the alliance, with representatives from 43 countries and the EU delegation attending. While 14 nations have confirmed their support, others are expected to join.

The move occurs against a backdrop of renewed tensions in Yemen, where the Houthi rebels control the capital Sanaa and much of the north, while the internationally recognized government holds the south. Saudi Arabia is a key ally of the Yemeni government, and recent clashes between Saudi forces and the Houthis have threatened a fragile ceasefire.