Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Saudi Arabia Forms 14‑Nation Maritime Coalition Against Houthi Blockade
Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries have joined together to protect ships that travel through the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
They made a plan on July 30, 2026, in Riyadh, where 43 countries and the EU were also there.
The group wants to keep the sea safe so that oil and other goods can move without danger.
They are doing this because a group called the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have threatened to block the sea and have attacked Saudi oil ships.
The coalition will have a shared command center and a secretariat to coordinate actions.
Saudi Arabia will host the headquarters.
The plan also aims to keep trade routes open and protect energy supplies.
This move comes after the US‑Iran conflict made the Strait of Hormuz less reliable for shipping.
The coalition is still open to more countries that want to join.
Saudi Arabia has formed a multinational maritime defence coalition with 14 founding members to secure shipping routes in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
The coalition was established during a meeting in Riyadh on 30 July 2026, with 43 countries and an EU delegation present; 14 countries confirmed support.
The alliance aims to enhance maritime security, safeguard freedom of navigation, protect international trade routes and energy supply lines amid Houthi blockade threats and the US‑Iran standoff.
Iran‑backed Houthi militants have threatened a naval blockade and carried out attacks on Saudi oil tankers, prompting the coalition’s creation.
The coalition’s structure includes a joint command, operations control centre, and general secretariat, with its headquarters hosted by Saudi Arabia.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries (14 founding members)
- What
- Established a multinational maritime defence coalition
- When
- 30 July 2026
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; covers Bab al-Mandab Strait, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden
- Why
- To secure shipping routes against Houthi blockade threats and protect energy supply lines amid regional tensions
- Coalition name
- Multinational Defensive Maritime Coalition
- Founding members
- Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia
- Headquarters
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Purpose
- Enhance maritime security, safeguard navigation, protect trade and energy routes
- Trigger
- Houthi blockade threats and attacks on Saudi oil tankers
- Meeting date
- 30 July 2026
- Countries present
- 43 (plus EU delegation)
- Countries supporting
- 14
