Saudi Arabia Forms 14-Nation Naval Coalition to Secure Red Sea
Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a multinational maritime defense alliance on July 31, 2026, to protect strategic shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The coalition, including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, and Jordan, responds to a Houthi maritime blockade against Saudi oil exports. The Saudi Defense Ministry stated the alliance is defensive in nature but follows reports of Saudi troop concentrations in central Yemen for a potential ground offensive.