[30/07/2026 07:00]

RIYADH– SABA
A multinational maritime defense alliance was officially announced on Thursday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as a new framework for maritime defense cooperation aimed at enhancing maritime security, safeguarding freedom of navigation, securing international trade routes and global energy supply lines and protecting shared maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The alliance has been established in accordance with international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and internationally recognized conventions and norms.

According to a joint statement issued by the founding governments meeting in Riyadh, the participating states reaffirmed their firm commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law and internationally recognized treaties, rules and customs.

The statement noted that the governments recognize the growing challenges facing global maritime security and the need to strengthen collective maritime defense cooperation to protect freedom of navigation, international shipping lanes and global energy supply routes in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The founding states emphasized that maritime security is a shared responsibility and that cooperation and coordination among nations constitute the cornerstone for addressing common and transnational maritime threats, thereby contributing to global security, stability, and prosperity.

The member states approved the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the leader of the alliance and designated the Kingdom as its headquarters.

They also agreed to establish a Joint Command, a Command and Control Center, a Joint Maritime Operations Center, and a General Secretariat as the alliance’s principal executive bodies.

The statement further announced the completion of the necessary domestic procedures for the formal accession to the Alliance Charter, in accordance with each member state's constitutional and legal requirements.

It also outlined plans to expand cooperation in maritime security, intelligence and information sharing, operational planning, joint exercises, lessons learned, training, capacity building, and the conduct of joint maritime operations under the provisions of the Charter.

Participation in alliance activities and operations, however, will remain a sovereign decision for each member state in accordance with its national laws and procedures.

The founding governments stressed that the alliance is purely defensive in nature and is not directed against any state, alliance, or international organization.

All of its activities, they said, will be conducted in full compliance with international law, while respecting state sovereignty and protecting freedom of navigation.

The alliance also invited countries that share its objectives and principles to join its Charter, with the aim of expanding international cooperation and strengthening collective maritime security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The founding states concluded that the establishment of the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance represents a strategic step toward enhancing maritime security in these critical waterways, strengthening defense cooperation among member states, and supporting regional and international security, stability, and prosperity, while complementing international efforts to maintain international peace and security in accordance with international law.

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