Pakistan is set to become a founding member of a Saudi Arabia-led multinational maritime defense alliance aimed at enhancing security along key international shipping routes, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
In a statement issued after a meeting of participating states, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced that Saudi Arabia will lead the alliance and host its headquarters.
The ministry said the coalition will remain open to additional countries that share its objectives, while member states complete their domestic legal procedures before formally joining.
The meeting brought together representatives from 51 countries and international organizations, including the European Union delegation to Saudi Arabia, underscoring growing international support for stronger maritime security cooperation.
The proposed alliance has the backing of 14 founding members: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. It aims to strengthen collective maritime defense capabilities and ensure the safety and freedom of navigation through some of the world’s busiest and most strategically important sea lanes.
The initiative follows heightened regional tensions after the recent conflict between the United States and Iran, which raised concerns over attacks on commercial shipping, drone and missile strikes on energy infrastructure, and potential disruptions to critical maritime chokepoints, including the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz.
