Saudi Arabia is working to form an international coalition to protect maritime traffic in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, senior officials said.
The officials said discussions were ongoing with dozens of countries, although the membership and structure of the coalition had not yet been finalised.
The Saudi Center for International Communication did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Iran-aligned Houthis announced on July 20 that they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, citing what they described as a Saudi siege on Yemen, Riyadh has denied the allegation.-
The group has since claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea.
In response, Saudi Arabia launched air strikes on what it identified as Houthi military facilities at Yemen’s Hodeidah port, which it said were being used to threaten commercial shipping.
The developments have opened a new front in the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and its allies.
The attacks have also spread to tankers carrying energy and other supplies beyond Gulf waters, contributing to upward pressure on oil prices.
