Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries have confirmed the formation of a maritime military coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with additional countries expected to join.

The initial members are Bahrain, Bangladesh, the Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Turkiye and Yemen.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense said on Thursday that 15 countries had signed a declaration, while 13 had so far completed the procedures required to formally join the coalition.

On 13 August, the ministry said on X: “The number of countries that signed the joint statement reached 15 countries, while 13 countries completed their national procedures, signed the coalition charter, and officially announced their accession.”

The announcement followed the alliance’s third meeting, held on 13 August in Jeddah.

“This represents the actual launch of the coalition towards the stage of institutional and operational activation, while the rest of the countries continue to complete the necessary national procedures to join the coalition,” the Saudi Defense Ministry said.

The coalition’s operational structure is still being developed. According to the ministry, members will share intelligence and information, coordinate operational planning, conduct joint naval exercises and drills, strengthen military capabilities and carry out joint maritime operations.