Fourteen countries have formally joined a new Saudi-led maritime coalition designed to safeguard critical shipping lanes through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, as regional tensions and attacks on commercial vessels escalate. Announced by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence, the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance aims to protect freedom of navigation along a strategic corridor that links the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean, a route vital for global energy supplies and trade. Main Developments The alliance was established during a meeting that included representatives from 43 of the 51 invited countries, with a European Union delegation also present. The Saudi ministry stated that the coalition is purely defensive and does not target any specific state, emphasizing that maritime security is a shared responsibility. Activities under the alliance will include intelligence sharing, information exchange, operational planning, joint exercises, and coordinated maritime operations. However, the statement did not specify which ships or aircraft each participating nation would contribute. Read also: 3 Reasons Iran Attacked US Forces as Israel Builds Up Saudi Arabia is recognized as a founding member and will host the alliance's headquarters, though the exact location was not disclosed. The door remains open for additional countries to join after completing their national procedures. Background The formation of this coalition follows a sharp escalation in the U.S.-Iran conflict, which has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz—a waterway that previously carried about 20 percent of global oil and gas exports. This closure has forced rerouted shipments and placed immense strain on the global economy. In parallel, the Bab al-Mandeb-Red Sea-Gulf of Aden route has come under repeated attacks from Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen. Last week, the Houthis imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, disrupting oil shipments diverted to the Red Sea. Since the war in Iran began in late February, Saudi Arabia has relied on its East-West pipeline to export most of its oil, connecting eastern refineries to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. However, these exports must still cross the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a narrow chokepoint located between Eritrea, Djibouti, and Yemen's Houthi-controlled western province. The strait is only 29 kilometers (18 miles) wide at its narrowest point, limiting traffic to two channels for inbound and outbound shipments. Approximately 10 to 12 percent of global maritime trade passes through this waterway, including millions of barrels of oil per day. Why It Matters The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is one of only two exit-entry points to the Red Sea, the other being the Suez Canal. Any disruption in this area could trigger a new surge in global energy prices, compounding the economic damage already inflicted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The absence of the United Arab Emirates and Oman from the alliance is notable, given both countries share similar security objectives amid the conflict centered on Iran. Their non-participation may reflect regional political complexities or differing strategic priorities. The European Union already maintains its own naval protection mission, Aspides, in the Red Sea. It remains unclear how the new Saudi-led coalition will differ from or coordinate with existing missions, raising questions about interoperability and command structures. What's Next The Saudi ministry has left the door open for other nations to join the alliance after completing their national procedures, which could expand the coalition's reach and capabilities over time. Observers will watch for concrete deployments of ships or aircraft from member states, as well as the first joint exercises or intelligence-sharing operations. The effectiveness of the alliance will depend on its ability to deter Houthi attacks and secure the waterway without escalating broader regional hostilities. Whether the coalition can coordinate with existing EU and U.S. naval efforts in the region remains an open question.