Story perspectives

Saudi-led coalition forms joint command to protect Red Sea shipping

8/22/2026

Summary

Saudi Forms Red Sea Coalition

Saudi Arabia is assembling an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks.
Thirteen countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Nigeria, pledged support after Saudi Ministry of Defense met with fifty nations.
The July 20 Houthi blockade disrupted oil shipments rerouted after the Strait of Hormuz closure.
Kpler data showed only eleven cargo vessels passed the Red Sea recently, the lowest in months.

Summary

Houthis Block Oil

Yemeni forces have blocked about 85% of Saudi oil exports to Asia via the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.
Since July 20, Houthis have attacked eight Saudi oil tankers and forced 48 to turn back.
Houthi spokesman Ameen Hayyan reported nine attacks on Saudi facilities in Yanbu, Najran, Jizan and Eastern Province.
Yemen’s forces claimed two drone strikes on Najran airport and Aramco facilities as retaliation for Saudi airspace violations.

Summary

MMDC Launches Hub

The MMDC’s Riyadh headquarters will host a Joint Command, Command-and-Control Centre, Combined Operations Centre and Secretariat.
Fourteen nations, including Yemen and Bangladesh, signed the declaration.
The coalition operates under the UN Charter, focusing on freedom of navigation without targeting any state.
The United Arab Emirates and Oman did not sign, highlighting GCC splits over Iran and conflict policy.

History

Historical Context

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia launched a multinational coalition to intervene in Yemen, aiming to restore the internationally recognized government and secure Red Sea shipping. The coalition initially comprised seven Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain, contributing roughly 30,000 troops and $2 billion in logistics. Today, an alliance of Turkey, Pakistan and Nigeria mirrors the 2015 effort by forming a Joint Command to shield oil tankers from Houthi attacks. The precedent suggests that coordinated naval coalitions can sustain global energy flows, yet persistent GCC divisions risk undermining long-term maritime security in the Red Sea.

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Saudi Forms Red Sea Coalition

Saudi Arabia is assembling an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks.
Thirteen countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Nigeria, pledged support after Saudi Ministry of Defense met with fifty nations.
The July 20 Houthi blockade disrupted oil shipments rerouted after the Strait of Hormuz closure.
Kpler data showed only eleven cargo vessels passed the Red Sea recently, the lowest in months.

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