Al-Shehri: Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition is purely defensive and not targeting anybody

RIYADH — Rear Adm. Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri, commander of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition, said that the coalition aims to enhance maritime security and safeguard the global economy and collective maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden. “Saudi Arabia, under the directives of its leadership, is spearheading an international initiative to establish the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition with this objective,” Al-Shehri said during a briefing to the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday, following his appointment.Al-Shehri said that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of 43 countries at the coalition's founding meeting is conclusive evidence of the broad international consensus that the security of international waterways is a collective responsibility. “Multilateral defense cooperation and sustained coordination are fundamental to ensuring freedom of navigation and securing global supply chains and energy resources,” he said.Al-Shehri said that a number of countries announced at the conclusion of the meeting their accession to the coalition, as revealed in the joint statement. “The remaining countries are continuing to complete their national arrangements and procedures in preparation for joining, with membership remaining open to all countries wishing to join the coalition,” he said.Al-Shehri said stated that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the coalition's headquarters and command underscores its leadership role in advancing and supporting regional and international security, as well as its pioneering efforts in building effective alliances to deter and address shared maritime threats and challenges.He emphasized that the coalition aims to strengthen maritime security, safeguard freedom of navigation, secure trade routes, supply chains, and energy resources, and protect shared maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.Al-Shehri emphasized that the coalition is purely defensive in nature and does not target any country, organization, or coalition. Rather, it operates in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and in full compliance with the provisions of international law, while fully respecting the sovereignty of states and ensuring freedom of navigation through international waterways.