Saudi Arabia is hosting a meeting with representatives from more than 50 countries to discuss the formation of a multinational maritime defense coalition to strengthen security in the Red Sea and beyond.
The initiative was proposed by Saudi Arabia after the Yemeni Shiite group, Houthi, attacked Saudi ships in the Red Sea and Bab El-Mandeb Strait in response to the blockade against Yemen.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defense said the meeting of the heads of defense of friendly countries and representatives of the European Union discussed Riyadh's initiative to form a coalition to increase defense cooperation and protect navigation in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the Bab El-Mandeb Strait.
Saudi Arabia will be the location of the coalition's headquarters if its formation is realized, according to the Saudi Ministry of Defense.
A total of 14 countries, including Turkiye, Egypt, and Pakistan, issued a joint statement in support of the establishment of the multinational maritime defense coalition.
The countries support the steps agreed at the meeting to form the coalition, according to a Saudi Defense Ministry statement.
On July 20, the Houthis announced a maritime blockade of Saudi ships in response to the Saudi blockade of Yemen, according to reports on the development.
On Monday, the Saudi Ministry of Defense accused pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq of attempting to attack oil facilities in Riyadh and the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.
However, the group, which is part of the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" alliance, denied involvement in the attack on the Saudi facility.
The group claimed Saudi Arabia was afraid of admitting the attack was carried out by the Houthis in Yemen and was unable to retaliate.
The Houthis also confirmed attacks on facilities supporting the export of oil from fields in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia to the Yanbu Port on the Red Sea.
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