Saudi Admiral Appointed Commander of Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition

RIYADH: Saudi Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri has been appointed commander of a multinational maritime coalition tasked with protecting key regional shipping routes, the Saudi Defense Ministry announced on Thursday.

The coalition commander will oversee joint naval defense operations, coordinate with member states and other maritime security coalitions, and lead missions in accordance with the coalition’s charter, the ministry said in a statement posted on X.

The ministry said additional countries are completing procedures to join the coalition, with some already signing the joint declaration while others are preparing to sign the declaration and charter before becoming founding members.

The coalition described itself as an open international partnership that welcomes countries sharing its objectives and principles, adding that membership applications continue to be received.

A further announcement will be issued listing the countries that have completed the required signing procedures, the ministry said.

The coalition is scheduled to hold a planners’ meeting on August 12-13 to finalize its institutional structure and prepare for the participation of additional members.

Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries announced the formation of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition on July 30. The coalition aims to safeguard freedom of navigation, international trade, and energy supply routes in strategic waterways including the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.