Saudi Arabia has designated Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri as the commander of a multinational maritime defence coalition focused on protecting freedom of navigation in key strategic waterways. The coalition was formally established on July 30, and Al-Shehri’s appointment came approximately one week after its creation. The commander will be responsible for overseeing joint naval defence operations, coordinating with member nations and other maritime coalitions, and executing missions according to the coalition’s charter.
Fourteen countries initially announced their participation in the coalition, including Bahrain, Bangladesh, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey, and Yemen. The coalition aims to secure the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden—waters that form a critical maritime corridor connecting the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean and serve as vital routes for international commerce and energy supply.
Saudi Arabia indicated that the coalition remains open to additional member states, with several countries currently in the process of completing accession procedures. Some nations have already signed the joint declaration while others are preparing to do so before becoming formal founding members. The ministry stated the coalition continues to receive new membership applications and characterized it as welcoming all countries aligned with its objectives and principles.
The coalition is scheduled to convene a planning meeting on August 12-13 to establish its institutional framework and facilitate additional country membership. The formation of this defensive alliance reflects broader concerns about maritime security in strategic shipping lanes that carry substantial portions of global energy supplies and commercial goods.
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