Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced plans to establish an international maritime defence coalition to strengthen co-operation amid heightened regional tensions and a rise in attacks on key shipping lanes.
The initiative was unveiled following a meeting hosted by the Kingdom that brought together representatives from 43 countries and the European Union, the Saudi Ministry of Defence said.
The ministry said the alliance would protect international shipping lanes, freedom of navigation and global trade, particularly in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden, Al Arabiya reported.
Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti were among those who signed a joint statement supporting the establishment of the coalition.
The US military was represented by the head of Marines in the Middle East, MARCENT Commander Lt. Gen. Joseph Clearfield and the defense attache at the US Embassy in Riyadh.
