Saudi Arabia unveils plans for multinational maritime defence coalition

Saudi Arabia announced plans for a multinational maritime defense coalition to protect Red Sea shipping and energy routes from Houthi attacks. The coalition, which includes 43 countries and the European Union, aims to secure international trade and maritime interests in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden. Fourteen countries, including Turkey and Pakistan, supported the proposal, though Oman and the UAE did not.