Pakistan joins 13 other countries in backing a proposed Saudi-led maritime defence coalition for key sea lanes
Representatives of countries participating in the international meeting on Saudi Arabia’s proposal to establish a Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition pose for a group photograph in Riyadh on Thursday. Photo: X
Fourteen countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Sudan and Djibouti, on Thursday issued a joint statement supporting the establishment of a proposed multinational maritime defence coalition, Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said.
According to the ministry, the proposed coalition aims to strengthen defence cooperation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
صدور بيان مشترك عن 14 دولة من الدول المشاركة لإنشاء التحالف البحري الدفاعي متعدد الجنسيات، مع استمرار انضمام بقية الدول فور استكمال إجراءاتها الوطنية، وبقاء باب الانضمام مفتوحًا أمام جميع الدول الراغبة. pic.twitter.com/A5EmSLvkjk
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) July 30, 2026
The ministry said participants also discussed Saudi Arabia serving as the founding and leading state of the proposed maritime defence coalition and hosting its headquarters.
The joint statement, issued by the participating countries, expressed support for the initiative to enhance maritime defence cooperation in the strategically important waterways.
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More to follow.
