Saudi Arabia to lead multinational alliance to secure Red Sea trade routes

Saudi Arabia is planning to lead a multinational alliance to defend Red Sea trade routes from attacks by Iran-backed Houthis, as it grapples with renewed threats. 

The kingdom held discussions with military representatives from 43 countries in Riyadh on Thursday, with 13 countries initially expressing support, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan. 

An initial statement said Saudi Arabia would host the headquarters of the alliance, but did not detail specific military commitments from any country. 

Threats and attacks on vessels linked to Saudi Arabia have slowed traffic through the Bab al-Mandab, a chokepoint at the southern end of the Red Sea. The route has become a critical alternative route for oil giant Aramco’s exports amid disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz. 

Six Saudi oil tankers waiting outside Bab al-Mandab appeared to sail off in the direction of South Africa on Friday, with four signaling Durban or Algoa Bay ports and another two indicating they would sail around Africa to Gibraltar, Bloomberg reports.