Head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council welcomes the establishment of the Saudi-led defensive maritime coalition

Aden, July 31 (KUNA) – Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi on Friday praised the announcement of the establishment of the Saudi-led multinational maritime defense coalition. State-owned Yemeni news agency Saba reported that al-Alimi made these remarks during a meeting he chaired with the Consultation and Reconciliation Authority and leaders of political parties to discuss local and regional developments and government efforts to counter the escalation by the Houthi militia.

He noted that this strategic initiative represents a crucial step toward enhancing collective security, safeguarding freedom of navigation, and securing vital sea lanes in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. He emphasized that the maritime coalition, initiated by the Kingdom, reflects a growing international recognition that the security of sea lanes is a shared responsibility that allows for no negligence, and that its success will contribute to consolidating regional stability, upholding the rules of international law, and protecting the common interests of all peoples of the world.

Yesterday, the Saudi Ministry of Defense hosted a meeting in Riyadh of chiefs of staff and representatives from several friendly and sister countries, as well as the European Union delegation, to discuss the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s initiative to establish a multinational maritime defense coalition aimed at enhancing maritime security, protecting international sea lanes, and countering threats targeting maritime navigation and global trade.

Fourteen participating countries issued a joint statement affirming their support for the multinational maritime defense coalition project and welcoming the consensus reached on its foundational arrangements. The participating countries are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia. (End) S.N.S./M.K.