Saudi Arabia announces maritime defence alliance to secure vital waterways
Riyadh, July 31
Saudi Arabia and 13 other nations have agreed to set up a defensive naval alliance to protect commercial vessels navigating critical chokepoints, including the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, the Saudi Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday.
The development comes amid persistent maritime disruptions caused by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia carrying out a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. Combined with ongoing transit bottlenecks stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, these security threats have amplified global energy security fears, elevating crude oil prices towards USD 90 per barrel.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence listed the coalition's founding member states as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia.
The pact was formalised at a military conference held in Riyadh, which brought together defence chiefs and delegates from 43 nations, alongside representatives from the European Union. Participating officials evaluated the proposed foundational charter in hybrid sessions conducted both in person and via video conference, according to the ministry.
Saudi Arabia is slated to function as the founding nation and establish the central headquarters on its territory. The proposed organisational framework integrates a joint command structure, an operational control hub, and a general secretariat dedicated to harmonising coalition efforts.
Furthermore, the Saudi Ministry of Defence stated that additional countries can join the security bloc after completing their respective domestic approval processes.
Categorising the partnership as a "purely defensive initiative", defence authorities stressed that the bloc is not targeting any particular state or entity, reassuring that all measures will strictly adhere to international legal protocols while respecting the sovereignty of every member nation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Another military alliance in an already volatile region. What happens when countries like Pakistan and Turkey have conflicting interests? This could backfire. I hope it truly remains defensive and doesn't escalate into something bigger.
It's interesting that Pakistan is a founding member while India isn't even mentioned. Shows how geopolitics works in this region. Still, as a major maritime power, India should have a seat at the table. We can't afford to be left out when it comes to securing the Indian Ocean and its approaches. No country can unilaterally manage these chokepoints.
Saudi Arabia leading this makes sense given their own experience with Houthi attacks. But the fact that Iran is noticeably absent (and likely targeted indirectly) could make things messy. India's balancing act between Israel, Saudi, and Iran is getting tougher by the day. Let's see how this plays out for our energy prices. 🛢️
This is a smart defensive move. With crude oil already near $90, any disruption in the Bab el-Mandeb or Hormuz could send prices skyrocketing. For a country like India that imports most of its oil, this is a big deal. Let's hope it brings stability.
Good initiative but I'm a bit sceptical about the inclusivity. Bangladesh and Somalia are in, but no India, no UAE? And they say it's 'purely defensive' - but in West Asia, such alliances often have hidden agendas. Still, securing trade routes is vital for global economy, so let's give it a chance. 🙏
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