Saudi Arabia announces 14-nation naval coalition to keep Bab el Mandeb Strait open

Published July 30, 2026 4:40pm ET | Updated July 30, 2026 4:40pm ET



Fourteen nations led by Saudi Arabia announced the creation of a naval coalition intended to keep the Bab el-Mandeb Strait open after the Houthis began harassing shipping, they said in a joint statement.

The coalition’s 14 founding members, announced on Thursday, are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, and the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

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