Maldives joins Saudi-led alliance to safeguard Gulf maritime routes

The Maldives has joined a maritime military alliance established by Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries to safeguard freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.

The Parliament approved the Maldives’ membership in the alliance last month.

At a ceremony held on Wednesday, Chief of Defense Force Ibrahim Hilmy signed the coalition’s charter on behalf of the Maldives, formally completing the country’s membership.

Foreign Minister H.E. @IruthishamAdam witnessed the Maldives signing of the MMDC Charter today. The Saudi-led initiative will strengthen cooperation among Member States and collective efforts to enhance maritime security & safeguard freedom of navigation.@KSAmofaEN@KSAembassyMV pic.twitter.com/LZAB4SySvN

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs ???????? (@MoFAmv) September 16, 2026

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Defense said the coalition, established under the name ‘Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance,’ provides a framework for member states to strengthen the collective defense of these strategically important maritime routes. 

Saudi authorities said the three maritime routes form a vital corridor linking the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. The military alliance was established to protect international trade and energy supply routes passing through the corridor.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a major route for global maritime trade, carrying an estimated 10 to 12 percent of the world’s seaborne goods, including millions of barrels of oil each day. Following attacks by Houthi forces, the London marine insurance market expanded the Red Sea’s "high-risk" zone to include the Saudi ports of Jeddah and Yanbu.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the headquarters of the newly established coalition will be based in Saudi Arabia.