Saudi Arabia Plans 50-Nation Coalition Against Houthi Attacks

The increasing attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen against commercial vessels in the Red Sea are prompting international actors to seek new approaches. Saudi Arabia has reportedly launched an initiative to establish a broad-based international coalition to enhance maritime security against Houthi attacks.

According to a report by the US-based news website Al-Monitor, Riyadh is planning to establish an international coalition involving approximately 50 countries to ensure maritime security in the Red Sea. According to the report, Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia have agreed to join Saudi Arabia’s initiative. Invitations have also been sent to 46 other countries, including Türkiye, the United States, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The report stated that the United States may avoid participating in operations against the Houthis due to the escalating tensions with Iran. It was also reported that some European countries, including France, Germany and Italy, are considering joining the coalition if the United States participates.

A naval blockade had been launched against Saudi Arabia

Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the armed wing of the Houthis, announced in a statement on July 20 that they had begun imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in response to the blockade imposed on Yemen.

Following the announcement, the Houthis attacked two Saudi-flagged oil tankers transiting the Red Sea on July 23. Two days later, they also attacked oil facilities belonging to Saudi Arabia’s national oil and natural gas company, Aramco, in the cities of Jizan and Yanbu.

On July 27, the Houthis targeted the East-West Crude Oil Pipeline, which carries crude oil to the Red Sea coast, and a day later announced that they had targeted the Saudi-owned oil tanker NCC GHAZAL with ballistic missiles.