- Amidst growing insecurity in the Red Sea and its vital maritime routes, Saudi Arabia has launched the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition (MMDC).
- The initiative aims to strengthen maritime security in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, while fostering better coordination among member nations.
- Recent incidents involving attacks on commercial vessels had raised concerns regarding international trade and maritime transport.
- Against this backdrop, Saudi Arabia hosted an international summit in Riyadh on July 30, 2026. Representatives from 43 countries and the European Union participated in the meeting.
- Following the conference, 14 nations signed a joint declaration agreeing to the formation of the MMDC.
- In addition to Saudi Arabia, the coalition includes Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti, and Comoros.
- The primary objective of this new arrangement is to ensure the security of critical maritime routes and ports, enhance cooperation among member states, and develop the capacity to collectively address any maritime threats in the region.
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