Story perspectives

Saudi Calls for International Coalition to Guard Red Sea Shipping

7/30/2026

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Saudi Arabia Seeks Coalition

Saudi Arabia announced on July 29 it is seeking to form an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks.
Coverage stresses that the Red Sea disruptions worsen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and strain global trade.
The 2022 Yemen truce is incomplete, and Bab al-Mandeb traffic fell about 20%.
Saudi Arabia redirected 70% of crude to Yanbu, a route supplying 7% of global energy.

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Saudi Seeks Coalition

On July 29, Saudi Arabia announced it will seek a coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks.
Saudi and allied vessels continue dark voyages with case-by-case clearance, showing resilience despite the blockade.
Chinese, Russian and Pakistani tankers have received ship-by-ship permission to transit the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint.
Houthis launched drone and missile attacks on Saudi energy sites at Yanbu and Jazan, igniting a fire at the Jazan refinery.

Center

Saudi Seeks Coalition

Saudi Arabia announced on July 29 it is seeking to form an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks.
The Iran-aligned Houthis declared a maritime blockade on July 20, saying they hit the Saudi-flagged tanker NCC Ghazal, leading Saudi airstrikes on Houthi sites in Hodeidah.
Kpler data recorded eleven cargo ships transiting Bab el-Mandeb on July 27, the lowest in months.

History

Historical Context

On 26 March 2015 Saudi Arabia launched Operation Decisive Storm, leading a coalition that bombed Yemen and imposed a naval blockade to protect the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The campaign has since destroyed roughly 130 health facilities and drawn UN criticism. The 2024 appeal for a new coalition to shield Red Sea shipping echoes that earlier effort to secure the same chokepoint.

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Saudi Arabia Seeks Coalition

Saudi Arabia announced on July 29 it is seeking to form an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks.
Coverage stresses that the Red Sea disruptions worsen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and strain global trade.
The 2022 Yemen truce is incomplete, and Bab al-Mandeb traffic fell about 20%.
Saudi Arabia redirected 70% of crude to Yanbu, a route supplying 7% of global energy.

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