Saudi Arabia is working to build an international coalition to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group, according to two people familiar with the discussions.
The sources said the coalition’s composition has not yet been finalised and is still being discussed with dozens of countries.
The Saudi Center for International Communication did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Houthis announced on July 20 that they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, saying the move was in response to what they described as a Saudi siege on Yemen. Riyadh has denied the allegation.
Since then, the Houthis say they have launched attacks on Saudi vessels operating in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia has responded with air strikes on what it said were Houthi military facilities at Yemen’s Hodeidah port that were being used to threaten commercial shipping.
The blockade has widened the regional conflict by opening a new front against the United States and its allies. It has also extended attacks on tankers carrying energy and other cargo beyond the Gulf, contributing to higher global oil prices.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
