Srinagar, Jul 31: Amid the ongoing war between Iran and the United States in the Middle East, fourteen countries, including Saudi Arabia, announced the establishment of a maritime defence coalition to protect shipping in key West Asian waterways, media reports said on Friday.
A joint statement issued by the alliance said that the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition aims to tackle the growing challenges facing global maritime security.
According to the reports, the announcement came after military figures from dozens of countries met in Riyadh to discuss the alliance.
The alliance will serve as a framework for maritime defence cooperation, aimed at enhancing maritime security, protecting freedom of navigation, securing international trade routes and energy supply lines.
The alliance is part of efforts to safeguard shared maritime interests in Bab El-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden, in accordance with the provisions of international law, the joint statement issued by the alliance said.
The founding members of the coalition include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia.
Member states said the coalition is purely defensive in nature, does not target any state, alliance, or international organisation, and conducts all its activities in full compliance with international law, respect for state sovereignty, and the protection of freedom of navigation.
They agreed that Saudi Arabia is the founding and leading state of the coalition and serves as its permanent headquarters.
