Saudi Defense Ministry: Maritime Coalition Shows Global Commitment to Security

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense emphasized that the newly announced Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition signifies a unified international understanding of the escalating threats to maritime security and freedom of navigation. Major General Turki Al-Malki stated that the coalition embodies a collective responsibility to safeguard vital maritime routes and protect global economic interests.

Al-Malki noted that the region and the world face significant and evolving threats. He affirmed each nation's right to implement necessary military or political measures to protect its interests. Continuous coordination among Red Sea bordering countries is underway to bolster maritime route security and safeguard shared interests. Saudi Arabia's prior experience in the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen, he added, yielded substantial achievements in neutralizing maritime threats, including drones, fast boats, and naval mines.

Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Alshehri, Commander of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition, highlighted the participation of 43 countries in the coalition's founding meeting as clear evidence of broad international consensus. He stressed that the security of international waterways is a collective responsibility, with multilateral defense cooperation and continuous coordination being fundamental to ensuring freedom of navigation, securing supply chains, and protecting energy supplies.

Alshehri mentioned that several countries have already joined the coalition, while others are completing national procedures to do so, with membership remaining open. He asserted that Saudi Arabia hosting the coalition's headquarters and leadership underscores its pivotal role in enhancing regional and international security and its proactive stance in forming effective coalitions against shared maritime threats.

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The Kingdom’s hosting of 43 countries at the coalition’s founding meeting is conclusive evidence of broad international consensus that the security of international waterways is a collective responsibility, and that multilateral defense cooperation and continuous coordination are the cornerstone for ensuring freedom of navigation, securing supply chains, and safeguarding energy supplies.