Saudi Arabia is preparing to announce the formation of a multinational naval coalition under its command, which will include dozens of countries, aimed at “protecting the Red Sea”. This was reported by ANSA, which noted that the initiative is a military response to changes in the kingdom’s energy export routes following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to ANSA, for the first time, the oil-rich kingdom is appealing to a significant portion of the world to safeguard a route primarily used for exporting its crude oil. Regional observers suggest that Riyadh’s actions are mainly focused on ensuring the security of Saudi oil exports and the overall energy framework, which is supported by Washington. After the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which ANSA links to the conflict between the USA and Israel against Iran, through which 80% of the kingdom’s crude oil was transported, more than half of the exports are now moved overland to the terminals at Yanbu on the Red Sea.
Historical context and coalition participants
The country, which in 2015 established and led an international coalition to bomb the then Houthi rebels in Yemen, is now calling for the creation of a new international alliance to protect its interests from the threats posed by the same Houthi.
According to ANSA, the coalition initiated by Riyadh is expected to include Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, as well as Pakistan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. However, diplomatic sources believe that without the support of the United States, the coalition is unlikely to operate effectively.
Paris, Berlin, and Rome are awaiting a decision from the USA, although they are already present in the region as part of the European mission “Aspides”, which has been under Italian command since March. Notably, according to ANSA, the United Arab Emirates are absent from the coalition and were not even invited to participate.
Source: ANSA
