Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has begun diplomatic efforts to form an international coalition to safeguard maritime navigation in the Red Sea, following recent security threats to commercial shipping, according to media reports.
According to a news agency, Saudi officials are in contact with multiple countries to strengthen protection for maritime traffic after attacks attributed to the Houthi movement. Discussions on the proposed coalition reportedly involve dozens of countries, although negotiations are still ongoing.
Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that the final structure and operational framework of the proposed coalition have not yet been determined.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Information Minister claimed that the Houthi group Ansar Allah is planning to impose toll charges on vessels passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints.
According to the Yemeni minister, such a move would represent a dangerous escalation, alleging that the Houthis intend to use revenues from maritime traffic to finance their activities.
The reported coalition efforts come after the Houthis recently announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia and claimed responsibility for targeting two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
Following those incidents, Saudi-led coalition forces reportedly carried out military strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen’s Al Hudaydah Governorate, targeting what were described as military sites linked to the group.
The Red Sea is a critical global shipping route connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean through the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Any disruption to navigation in the area can affect international trade, energy supplies, and global shipping costs.
As regional tensions continue, diplomatic and military efforts aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea are expected to remain a key focus for countries with strategic and economic interests in the waterway.
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