RIYADH (Kashmir English): Saudi Arabia has proposed a Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance, aimed at addressing shared maritime threats in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, which was backed by 14 countries, including Pakistan, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense hosted a meeting today, which was attended by Chiefs of Staff, representatives of brotherly and friendly nations, and the European Union Delegation to the Kingdom.
The ministry said that fourteen participating countries issued a joint statement “affirming their support for the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance project” and welcoming the consensus reached on its founding arrangements.
These countries include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia.
“The meeting was held today to discuss Saudi Arabia’s initiative to establish a multinational maritime defense alliance, as part of efforts to enhance maritime security, protect international waterways, and counter threats targeting maritime navigation and global trade,” the statement said.
The meeting was attended by Chiefs of Staff and their representatives from 43 countries, in addition to the European Union Delegation to the Kingdom. “This represents a significant portion of the 51 countries and organizations invited, with participation both in person and via videoconference.”
During the meeting, the participants also discussed the “draft charter of the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance, its reference documents, organizational structure, command and control arrangements, operational mechanisms, and future steps.”
This aims to ensure the establishment of an effective institutional framework that enhances maritime defense cooperation among participating states and addresses shared maritime threats in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
The participants agreed to continue the work of military planners from countries wishing to join the coalition during the next phase, to complete the foundational procedures.
The Saudi Defence Ministry further said that the meeting concluded by reaffirming the shared determination to move forward with completing the founding procedures for establishing the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance.
“This alliance will enhance the collective ability to confront and deter threats to maritime security, protect international waterways, safeguard freedom of navigation and global trade, and promote regional and international security and stability,” it concluded.
