Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Saudi Arabia Seeks Coalition to Protect Red Sea Shipping
Saudi Arabia wants a group of countries to help keep ships safe in the Red Sea because a rebel group called the Houthis is attacking them.
The coalition is still being planned and no final list of countries is decided yet.
The Houthis said they would stop ships from going to Saudi Arabia and might charge money for ships that pass through a key waterway.
This could make shipping more expensive.
Saudi Arabia is trying to stop these attacks and keep trade moving.
Saudi Arabia is seeking an international coalition to safeguard Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks.
The coalition’s composition remains undecided, with talks ongoing with dozens of countries.
The Houthis announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20, expanding attacks beyond the Gulf.
Houthis are reportedly considering imposing fees on commercial ships transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
No timeline has been set for the introduction of these fees.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement
- What
- Saudi Arabia is seeking an international coalition to safeguard Red Sea shipping; Houthis announced a maritime embargo and are considering fees on commercial ships
- When
- July 29, 2024 (article date); July 20, 2024 (embargo announcement)
- Where
- Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait
- Why
- To protect shipping from Houthi attacks and respond to the embargo
- Coalition Status
- Under discussion
- Targeted Threat
- Houthi attacks
- Embargo Announcement Date
- July 20, 2024
- Potential Fees
- Yes, for commercial ships
- Affected Waterway
- Bab al-Mandab Strait