Saudi Arabia leads Arab and Islamic efforts to secure navigation in the Gulf and the Red Sea
Amid escalating threats targeting navigation in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia is spearheading a broad Arab and Islamic diplomatic initiative to coordinate regional and international positions aimed at protecting sea lanes, ensuring the security of global trade, and reducing tensions in the region through a series of political and military communications with several Arab and Islamic countries.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held talks with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. The discussions covered developments in the regional situation, joint coordination to de-escalate tensions, and continued support for diplomatic solutions, all aimed at ensuring the security and safety of waterways in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, while maintaining regional security and stability.
On the military front, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman discussed with his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler the joint efforts to restore peace and enhance defense cooperation amid regional developments.
In parallel with Saudi moves, Egypt has expressed growing concern over the return of threats to navigation in the Red Sea and their impact on the Suez Canal. During his communications with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the Egyptian Foreign Minister emphasized the necessity of preserving freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, protecting international trade and global supply chains, and calling for de-escalation and a return to the political track.
Cairo also stressed the importance of avoiding any steps that threaten the security of waterways. Official estimates indicate that Egypt has suffered losses nearing $10 billion due to disruptions in Suez Canal navigation, as it continues to intensify its diplomatic efforts to prevent the crisis from worsening.
Meanwhile, Arab and Islamic condemnations of Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea have continued. Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have firmly rejected these assaults, affirming that they constitute a violation of international law and a direct threat to freedom of navigation and global trade security. They also reiterated their full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for the measures it is taking to protect its security and interests. The OIC called on the international community to take firm action to halt these violations and protect international sea lanes.
Following a series of painful strikes by Houthi militias in Marib, Al Jawf, and Al Hudaydah, Legal and Human Rights Affairs Minister Ishraq Al Maqtari stated today that "Yemen is approaching a decisive national moment to restore state institutions and end years of coup and suffering." She affirmed that "the Houthis have harmed Yemenis across various regions, usurped the will of the people in the north, threatened the security of the south, disrupted state institutions, looted resources and salaries, and dragged tribal members into their wars."
This came amid clashes in Al Jawf province between Houthi militants and members of the Al Ja'id tribe, which resulted in the death of three tribal members and injuries to two others, amid escalating tensions in the province.
