Saudi Arabia: Appointment of Commander for the Defensive Maritime Coalition
Riyadh, KUNA: The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced yesterday the appointment of Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shahrani as commander of the multinational maritime defense coalition, a move aimed at completing the coalition’s institutional framework and enhancing its operational readiness.
In a statement, the ministry said the appointment of a coalition commander comes as part of the foundational procedures and follows the announcement on July 30 of the establishment of the coalition, which aims to enhance its readiness to carry out its missions in supporting maritime security, protecting freedom of navigation, securing sea lanes and straits, and supporting international trade and global supply chains within the coalition’s area of responsibility, in accordance with its charter and international law provisions.
The ministry clarified that the coalition commander will assume joint maritime defense command duties, oversee planning and coordination among member states and other maritime coalitions, and implement joint activities and missions in accordance with the coalition’s charter, regulations, and reference procedures.
It noted that procedures for additional countries to join the coalition are ongoing, stating that several additional countries have completed signing the joint statement, while others are finalizing their national procedures in preparation for their official accession as founding members.
The ministry affirmed that the multinational maritime defense coalition is an open international alliance available to all countries that align with its objectives and principles, and that it continues to receive accession requests. It pointed out that a statement will be issued listing the names of countries that have completed the signing procedures, thereby strengthening the base of founding states and the coalition’s effectiveness in supporting maritime security and stability, enhancing international cooperation, and addressing common maritime challenges in a manner that serves the shared interests of all participating countries.
It added that the coalition’s establishment phases will continue with a meeting of planners scheduled for August 12 and 13 to complete institutional building requirements, with more countries signing the joint statement and the coalition charter in preparation for their official accession.
The ministry emphasized that the appointment of a coalition commander represents a key milestone in its establishment process and reflects progress in fulfilling the requirements for its construction, contributing to consolidating collective maritime security, enhancing regional and international stability, and serving the shared interests of the international community.
Earlier, on July 30, the Saudi Ministry of Defense hosted a meeting in Riyadh of chiefs of staff and representatives from several brotherly and friendly countries, along with 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 countries participating in the meeting issued a joint statement affirming their support for the multinational maritime defense coalition project and welcoming the consensus achieved regarding its foundational arrangements. These countries are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, and Somalia.
