Saudi Arabia Forms 14 Nation Maritime Alliance To Secure Red Sea Trade Routes

In a significant move to bolster maritime security, Saudi Arabia has announced the formation of a 14-nation coalition dedicated to protecting the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. This strategic decision follows repeated attempts by Houthi rebels to block the Bab al-Mandab Strait and their targeted attacks on several commercial vessels. The coalition aims to ensure the safety of international trade and the stability of global energy supplies, especially after the Houthis declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia.

The Strategic Objectives of the Coalition

The Saudi Ministry of Defense issued a statement on Thursday, July 31, detailing the framework of this new alliance. According to the ministry, the coalition will serve as a common platform for collective maritime defense cooperation, while the participating nations are committed to working together to maintain secure passage through these vital strategic waterways, thereby preventing any disruptions to global commerce. The primary focus remains on facilitating navigation and strengthening maritime security cooperation across these critical routes.

Context of the Regional Tensions

This initiative comes at a time when the US-Iran conflict has intensified, particularly focusing on the Strait of Hormuz. This strait is a vital artery for the global economy, as 20 percent of the world's total oil and gas exports pass through it. The near-closure of this route has had a severe impact on the global economy. Amidst these rising tensions, Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen have launched repeated attacks on the Bab al-Mandab-Red Sea-Gulf of Aden route. The situation escalated further last week when the Houthis announced a maritime blockade specifically targeting Saudi Arabia.

Participation and Membership

The formation of the coalition was discussed in a high-level meeting where invitations were extended to 51 countries. Out of these, 43 countries participated in the deliberations. According to media reports, the coalition includes or is expected to include countries such as Turkey, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Sudan, and the Comoros, while these nations will collaborate to address maritime threats through various mechanisms.

Operational Framework

According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the member states of the coalition will engage in intelligence sharing to identify and mitigate maritime threats. The alliance will also conduct joint operations and regular military exercises to enhance their collective response capabilities. The ministry emphasized that this coalition is entirely defensive in nature and its objective isn't to target any specific country but to safeguard international interests.

The Absence of Oman and the UAE

Despite the broad participation, two key regional players, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, have distanced themselves from this coalition, while their reasons for not joining are rooted in their respective foreign policies and strategic outlooks.

Why Oman Stayed Away

• Oman has long been known for its neutral foreign policy and often maintains a balanced stance in regional conflicts.
• The country frequently plays the role of a mediator in regional disputes and maintains good relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia.
• In the context of the Yemen conflict, Oman has consistently emphasized dialogue and peace efforts.
• Oman has acted as a mediator in communications between the Houthis and other parties on several occasions.

Why the UAE Stayed Away

• The UAE is already part of several bilateral and multilateral defense arrangements with partners like the United States, France, and others.
• The UAE prefers to rely on its existing security frameworks rather than joining a new Saudi-led military structure.
• Strategic differences between Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also cited as a reason for their decision to stay out of this specific alliance.

The Strategic Importance of Bab al-Mandab

The Bab al-Mandab Strait is one of the most critical maritime routes in the world, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Approximately 10 to 12 percent of global maritime trade and millions of barrels of crude oil pass through this strait every day. At its narrowest point, the strait is only 29 kilometers wide. Consequently, any military activity or disruption in this area can have a global impact, affecting everything from freight shipping to the prices of oil and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Significance for Saudi Arabia

For Saudi Arabia, this route has become even more vital due to the tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The kingdom has been transporting oil from its eastern oil fields via the East-West pipeline to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. From there, the oil must be exported through ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Houthi announcement of a blockade in this specific strait has Notably increased Saudi Arabia's security concerns, prompting the formation of this 14-nation alliance.