Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced plans to establish an international maritime defense coalition to strengthen cooperation amid heightened regional tensions and a rise in attacks on key shipping lanes.
– The initiative was unveiled following a meeting hosted by the Kingdom that brought together representatives from 43 countries and the European Union, the Saudi Ministry of Defense said.
– The ministry said the alliance would protect international shipping lanes, freedom of navigation and global trade, particularly in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden.
– Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti were among those who signed a joint statement supporting the establishment of the coalition.
– The US military was represented by the head of Marines in the Middle East, MARCENT Commander Lt. Gen. Joseph Clearfield and the defense attache at the US Embassy in Riyadh.