- Saudi Arabia is building an international coalition to protect key shipping routes that transport Saudi oil exports from repeated attacks by Yemeni Houthi militias.
- The Saudi Ministry of Defense met with nearly 50 countries in Riyadh to establish a multinational maritime defense coalition.
- The group met to discuss the need to secure shipping routes in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
- The Iran-backed Houthi rebels are enforcing a naval blockade against Saudi Arabian vessels traveling through the Red Sea in response to a strike on Sanaa International Airport.
- Red Sea shipping has decreased following the Houthi attacks, with the strait seeing 11 cargo vessels move through it, the lowest number of ships to pass through in months.
- Houthis have claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Saudi ships and have not slowed down even with Saudi Arabia launching strikes on Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.
- The importance of the Red Sea has increased since the U.S.-Iran conflict began in February, causing partial and full closures of the Strait of Hormuz, which transports a fifth of the world’s oil.
- Pakistan has also condemned the Houthi blockade in the Red Sea, stating they violate established principles of international law.
Saudi Arabia is spearheading an international coalition with nearly 50 nations to protect crucial shipping routes in the Red Sea from escalating Houthi attacks. The coalition aims to secure the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital passage for global oil transport, amid rising tensions in the region.13
The Saudi Ministry of Defense convened the coalition in Riyadh, emphasizing the need for collective maritime defense against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have intensified their blockade on Saudi vessels. Recent analytics indicate a significant decline in shipping activity, with only 11 cargo vessels passing through the strait, marking the lowest traffic in months.2456
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Saudi ships, continuing their aggressive stance despite Saudi airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. This situation has heightened the importance of the Red Sea since the U.S.-Iran conflict escalated in February, leading to partial closures of the Strait of Hormuz, which is critical for transporting a fifth of the world’s oil.8
As the coalition forms, countries like Pakistan have voiced concerns over the Houthi blockade, citing violations of international law. The coalition's establishment reflects a growing recognition of the need for enhanced maritime security in the face of these threats.9
“The coalition aims to protect vital shipping routes in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden, as Houthi rebels enforce a blockade against Saudi vessels. Following recent attacks, Red Sea shipping has decreased significantly, with only 11 cargo vessels passing through, the lowest in months.”
