Saudi Arabia is working to assemble an international coalition to help protect shipping in the Red Sea, according to people familiar with the discussions. The push comes as Houthi attacks continue to raise risks for commercial vessels using one of the region’s most important maritime routes.
The effort is aimed at improving security for merchant shipping and limiting disruption to traffic through the Red Sea. Any broader security arrangement in the area would carry significance for trade flows, energy shipments and regional stability, given the waterway’s role in global commerce.
The proposed coalition is being pursued against the backdrop of continued Houthi pressure at sea. The group has threatened shipping and had previously declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, adding to concerns about the safety of vessels operating in or passing through the area.
Details about the possible members or structure of the coalition were not clear from the initial report. Still, the Saudi initiative signals growing urgency around maritime security in the Red Sea as attacks and threats keep commercial shipping under strain.
