Saudi Arabia seeks coalition to secure Red Sea shipping

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia is seeking to ​build an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, two people familiar with ‌the deliberations said ⁠on ⁠Wednesday.

The composition of the coalition has not yet ​been finalised and is being discussed with dozens of countries, ​the sources said.

Also Read: Yemen's Houthis considering fees for ships sailing through Red Sea, sources say


The Saudi Center for International Communication did not immediately respond to a request ​for comment.

The Iran-aligned Houthis said ⁠on July ‌20 they would impose ​a naval blockade ​on Saudi Arabia in the ⁠Red Sea in response to what they described ​as a Saudi siege on ​Yemen, an allegation Riyadh has denied.

Also Read: China holds talks with Houthis to allow tankers via Red Sea

Since then, the Houthis said they have launched attacks on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has responded with air strikes on ‌what it said were Houthi military facilities at Yemen's Hodeidah port used ​to threaten ​commercial shipping.

The ⁠blockade has opened a new front against the United States and its allies in the wider Iran ​war, expanding attacks on tankers carrying energy and other supplies to waters beyond the Gulf and pushing oil prices higher.