The Red Sea is an important waterway for transporting large quantities of Saudi Arabian crude oil to the international market, after energy exports from the Gulf region were seriously disrupted due to US-Iran tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense issued a joint statement on behalf of 14 countries in the alliance: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkey and Yemen.
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense emphasized that the alliance "is aimed at strengthening maritime security, protecting freedom of navigation, ensuring international trade routes and energy supply routes, as well as protecting common maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden".
The statement stated that Saudi Arabia has invited 51 countries and organizations to attend the alliance meeting in Riyadh on July 30. Representatives of 43 countries and 1 EU delegation attended, of which 14 countries confirmed their support, and other countries are in the process of consideration.
This move comes after the Houthi forces in Yemen announced the imposition of maritime sanctions on Saudi Arabia - the world's leading oil exporter.
Houthi claims responsibility for attacks targeting Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea and oil infrastructure in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces clashed in early July, for the first time in many years, threatening the 2022 ceasefire agreement that had been maintained despite expiring.
