🔺 Support from 14 countries for Saudi Arabia’s plan to form a “multinational maritime defense coalition”

▪ Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense says 14 countries have backed the country’s proposal to form a “multinational maritime defense coalition” with the aim of protecting international shipping lanes and global trade.

▪ The statement adds that Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia have supported the formation of this alliance to protect maritime navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb.

▪ According to a statement from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense, the heads of armed forces and other representatives from 43 countries took part in the meeting on the initiative either in person or via video link, and a delegation from the European Union was also present at the meeting.