Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has established a maritime defense alliance aimed at securing navigation through the strategically vital Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key route for transporting Saudi crude oil to global markets. The alliance includes 14 nations, among them Türkiye, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the coalition seeks to enhance maritime security, protect freedom of navigation, ensure the safety of international trade routes and energy supply lines, and defend shared maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The formation of the alliance follows recent escalations in tensions involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, who have imposed a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, claiming responsibility for attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and damage to the country’s oil infrastructure. This action has further complicated the already strained situation in the region, as the Bab al-Mandab Strait has become a crucial alternative for oil shipments following the disruption of energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing U.S.-Iran standoff. The Saudi defense ministry stated that it had extended invitations to 51 countries and organizations for a meeting in Riyadh on July 30, during which representatives of 43 countries and an EU delegation participated. Of these, 14 nations confirmed their support for the alliance, while others were still in the process of finalizing their participation. The ministry emphasized the importance of collective efforts to maintain stability and security in the region. In response to the Houthi actions, Saudi Arabia and its allies have taken measures to counter threats. Earlier this month, Saudi forces engaged in clashes with Yemen’s Houthi rebels, marking the first such confrontation in several years. This renewed hostilities threatened to undermine a 2022 ceasefire agreement, which had remained in effect despite its expiration. In addition to facing attacks from the Houthis, Saudi Arabia has also encountered threats from pro-Iranian militias operating in Iraq, which have targeted its energy infrastructure. On July 29, Saudi Arabia conducted joint U.S.-led airstrikes in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of 20 individuals associated with the targeted groups. These strikes were part of broader efforts to disrupt the activities of armed groups that pose a threat to Saudi national security and regional stability. Meanwhile, shipping activity through the Bab al-Mandab Strait has significantly declined, with only 11 commodity vessels passing through on Sunday, the lowest level recorded in months. This reduction in traffic has been attributed to the Houthi-imposed blockade, which has disrupted the flow of goods and energy resources. Data from Kpler indicates that seven of the vessels that traversed the strait were oil tankers, with three entering the Red Sea. Among these, two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) were destined for the port of Yanbu to load Saudi crude, while one vessel was linked to Russia. The disruptions have led to increased costs for crude oil in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, with prices reaching two-month highs. Four vessels exited the Red Sea on Sunday, including the Hong Kong-flagged VLCC New Explorer, which carried 2 million barrels of Saudi and Emirati crude for the Chinese port of Ningbo. Other vessels included a tanker transporting 1 million barrels of Russian crude to China and another carrying approximately 750,000 barrels of Saudi crude to Pakistan. A second Hong Kong-flagged VLCC, the New Pearl, is scheduled to exit the Red Sea for the Chinese port of Zhoushan, marking the fourth Chinese supertanker to depart since the Houthi blockade was declared. The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, confirmed that the group had launched attacks on Saudi state oil company Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu. Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz continues to experience low levels of traffic, with fewer than 10 commodity vessels passing through daily, despite a temporary pause in U.S.-Iran strikes in the region.
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