New Saudi Coalition Aims to Stop Houthi Attacks

Oil tanker sailing on calm open sea — Photo: Sven Hansche / Shutterstock

Saudi Arabia is quietly asking dozens of countries to join a new coalition to stop Houthi fighters from attacking ships in the Red Sea.

Quick Take

Saudi Arabia is building an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks, Reuters reports.
Two sources say the coalition’s final list of members is still being worked out.
The Houthis have declared a maritime embargo and are reportedly weighing fees on ships passing through.
Saudi Arabia previously sat out a similar U.S.-led coalition in 2023, even though it belongs to another maritime security group.
The push shows a global shipping route is still at risk more than two years after Houthi attacks first made headlines.

Saudi Arabia Pushes For New Protection Force

Saudi Arabia is working to build an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks. Two people familiar with the talks told Reuters on July 29 that Riyadh has started reaching out to other countries. The final list of members has not been set. Saudi officials are discussing the plan with dozens of nations right now.

The Houthis, a Yemeni rebel group backed by Iran, have escalated their attacks in recent weeks. They have declared a maritime embargo against ships tied to Saudi Arabia. Reports also say the group may start charging fees to vessels that pass through the strait. Those moves threaten one of the world’s busiest and most important trade routes.

A Familiar Strait, A Familiar Fight

The Bab al-Mandab Strait sits at the mouth of the Red Sea. Huge amounts of global trade pass through it every day. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has already said it will take steps to protect its own commercial ships there. It has promised to respond firmly to any new threats from the Houthis.

This is not the first time outside powers have tried to build a shield around this waterway. In December 2023, the United States announced its own coalition, called Operation Prosperity Guardian, to fight back against Houthi strikes on shipping. That earlier effort struggled to pull in major Arab nations. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt all stayed out at the time.

Why Saudi Arabia Sat Out Before

Saudi Arabia is not new to maritime coalitions. Its navy has worked with the International Maritime Security Construct near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait since 2019. That group patrols the area but operates separately from the U.S.-led mission launched in 2023. Saudi Arabia’s decision to build its own coalition now, rather than simply join an existing one, suggests Riyadh wants more control over how any Red Sea protection force is run.

Analysts who watched the 2023 effort say Gulf states often hesitate to join American-led military missions in the region. They worry about being pulled deeper into direct conflict with Iran or its allies. A Saudi-built coalition, discussed on Riyadh’s own terms, may be an attempt to avoid that same trap this time around.

What Comes Next For Global Trade

No timeline has been given for when the coalition might be finalized or begin operating. The scale of the diplomatic outreach, described as reaching “dozens of countries,” signals this is a serious and organized effort, not just a public statement. Whether nations respond quickly could determine how much damage the Houthi campaign does to shipping costs and safety in the months ahead.

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For everyday Americans, disruptions in the Red Sea often show up later as higher prices at the store. Shipping delays and insurance costs tend to get passed down the supply chain. A renewed coalition effort, if it works, could ease some of that pressure. If it stalls like the 2023 attempt did, shippers may keep avoiding the route altogether, adding time and cost to goods moving between Asia, Europe, and beyond.