# Saudi-led maritime alliance operationalizes amid Houthi%20g* > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-attacks-on-bab-al-mandeb-shipping > Updated: 2026-09-09T17:03:18.000Z. Sources: 320. Developments: 22. Since the Houthi-declared maritime embargo on 20 July 2026, the Multinational Defensive Maritime Alliance has struggled to secure Red Sea shipping. The blockade has forced numerous Saudi supertankers to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, adding significant transit time and costs. Houthi forces have intensified strikes, including a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s Najran airport and ballistic missile hits on tankers such as the Wafaa. On 13 August, the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced the operational activation of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition (MMDC) following its third planning meeting in Jeddah. While 15 nations have signed a joint declaration, the coalition now involves 39 participating countries. Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Alshehri has been designated as the coalition commander, with Pakistan serving as the first deputy commander for the initial term. On 18 August, the Saudi Cabinet, chaired by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, officially welcomed the alliance’s activation. During this session, the Cabinet issued a “categorical rejection” of Iranian attacks on commercial ships, describing them as a “dangerous escalation” and a violation of international laws regarding the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. By 2 September, the Saudi Ministry of Defense confirmed the alliance has entered its operational phase, transitioning from its foundational stage to active duty. Operating from headquarters in Riyadh, the alliance has begun deploying military personnel and liaison officers. Conflict escalated further on 9 September when Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree reported strikes targeting Aramco energy facilities in Abha, Najran, Jizan, and the Economic City, as well as the Khamis Mushait air base. Saudi authorities stated these attacks resulted in 73 injuries and impacted energy infrastructure, leading to fires and temporary operational suspensions. In response, Houthi forces reported over 40 Saudi airstrikes across Yemeni provinces including Marib, Al Jawf, Taiz, and Hodeidah. ## Claims - The alliance includes Saudi Arabia and 13‑14 other countries, among them Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen (government), Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia. (disputed by 19 sources) - Countries invited to join the coalition include the United States, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Germany, France and Italy. (disputed by 13 sources) - Houthis declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia on 20 July. (corroborated by 31 sources) - Houthis are considering imposing transit fees on ships passing the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Iranian advisers are directly involved in designing the Houthi‑enforced toll system for Bab al‑Mandeb. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Chinese‑flagged vessels may be exempt from any Bab al‑Mandeb tolls. (corroborated by 24 sources) - Saudi Arabia is seeking an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks. (corroborated by 24 sources) - Higher oil prices have followed the Houthi blockade and the threat of new tolls on Bab al‑Mandeb. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The alliance headquarters will be located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The alliance is described as purely defensive and will operate in compliance with international law. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Houthi forces attacked Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Saudi Arabia responded with air strikes on Houthi military facilities at Yemen’s Hodeidah port. (corroborated by 20 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Saudi Arabia activates warning sirens in Abha and Khamis Mushait Saudi Arabia activated warning sirens in Abha and Khamis Mushait following Houthi attacks that reportedly injured 73 civilians and targeted Aramco facilities and airbases. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-activates-warning-sirens-in-abha-and-khamis-mushait ### 2026-09-08: Houthi attacks target southern Saudi Arabian cities and energy infrastructure Houthi attacks on southern Saudi Arabian cities have injured 73 civilians and targeted energy infrastructure, escalating the Yemen conflict and threatening Red Sea maritime security. 54 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-rebels-target-saudi-aramco-facilities-and-air-bases ### 2026-09-02: Saudi Arabia activates Red Sea naval coalition and strengthens defense ties with South Korea Saudi Arabia has activated its Red Sea naval coalition and met with South Korean naval leadership in Riyadh to discuss strengthening maritime security and defense cooperation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-activates-red-sea-naval-coalition-and-strengthens-defense-ties-with-south-korea ### 2026-09-02: Saudi Arabia announces operational start of maritime defense alliance The Saudi-led multinational Maritime Defense Alliance has begun active operations to secure navigation and energy supplies in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Gulf of Aden. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-announces-operational-start-of-maritime-defense-alliance ### 2026-08-22: Yemen forces launch drone strikes against Saudi Najran Airport and Aramco facility Yemeni Ansar Allah forces launched drone strikes against Najran Airport and an Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia and reported shooting down a Saudi ScanEagle reconnaissance drone over Hajjah. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yemen-forces-launch-drone-strikes-against-saudi-najran-airport-and-aramco-facility ### 2026-08-19: Houthi rebels claim drone strikes on Saudi airport and Aramco facility Houthi rebels claim drone strikes hit Najran Airport and an Aramco facility in Saudi Arabia, alongside claims of attacking eight Saudi oil tankers since July 20 as part of a maritime blockade. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-forces-target-eight-saudi-oil-tankers-in-maritime-blockade ### 2026-08-18: Saudi Cabinet activates maritime defense alliance and condemns Iranian attacks The Saudi Cabinet, led by King Salman, activated a multinational maritime defense alliance and condemned Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-cabinet-activates-maritime-defense-alliance-and-condemns-iranian-attacks ### 2026-08-13: Saudi Arabia launches multinational maritime defense coalition Saudi Arabia has launched a multinational maritime defense coalition to secure the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait. 13 nations have officially joined, with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan leading the command. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-led-maritime-defence-alliance-gains-13-formal-members ### 2026-08-06: Abdullah bin Salem Alshehri appointed commander of Saudi‑led maritime defence coalition Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Alshehri was named commander of the Saudi‑led Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition, a 14‑nation alliance created to secure Red Sea trade routes, with a meeting set for 12‑13 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-names-rear-admiral-abdullah-alshahri-commander-of-new-multinational-defensive-maritime- ### 2026-08-05: Yemen's Armed Forces Target Saudi Oil Tanker Wafaa in Red Sea Yemeni forces hit Saudi oil tanker Wafaa near Yanbu with ballistic missiles, the eighth such strike since a July 2026 maritime ban, forcing 29 Saudi tankers to retreat; Yemen vows to intensify attacks. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yemens-armed-forces-target-saudi-oil-tanker-wafaa-in-red-sea ### 2026-08-03: Saudi tankers avoid Bab al-Mandab, sail via Africa amid Houthi threats Six Saudi oil tankers rerouted around Africa in June to avoid Bab al‑Mandeb after Houthi threats, extending voyages and raising shipping costs. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-ships-reroute-around-africa-to-avoid-houthi-red-sea-blockade ### 2026-08-03: Saudi Arabia launches Red Sea maritime defence alliance with eight littoral states Saudi Arabia formed a Red Sea maritime defence alliance with eight littoral states and other partners to protect 12% of global trade amid rising Houthi and regional threats. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-launches-red-sea-maritime-defence-alliance-with-eight-littoral-states ### 2026-08-03: Houthi Drone Strike on Saudi Najran Airport Triggers Maritime Escalation Houthi militia claimed a precise drone strike on Najran airport, amid a maritime embargo that forced Saudi tankers to reroute via the Gulf of Aden, raised insurance costs, and spurred diplomatic talks mediated 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-embargo-forces-diversion-of-saudi-oil-tankers-lifts-brent-crude-above-95 ### 2026-08-01: Saudi Arabia confronts rising security threats amid US‑Iran conflict Saudi Arabia, under pressure from US‑Iran tensions and Houthi attacks, has begun joint US operations against Iranian‑backed militias and seeks a 14‑nation naval coalition, fearing damage to its Vision 2030 plan 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-confronts-rising-security-threats-amid-usiran-conflict ### 2026-07-31: Houthi militia forces eight Saudi oil tankers to reroute around Africa Houthi forces say eight Saudi oil tankers were rerouted to the Cape of Good Hope, adding costs and delays, amid a maritime blockade and a Saudi‑led naval alliance meeting. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-forces-force-eight-saudi-oil-tankers-to-reroute-via-ras-al-jirah ### 2026-07-30: Saudi Arabia leads creation of multinational maritime defense alliance Saudi Arabia hosted a Riyadh meeting of 43 nations to form a multinational maritime defence alliance, with Saudi as founder and leader, aiming to protect Red Sea sea lanes; 14 countries issued a joint support‑b 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-arabia-leads-multinational-naval-defence-alliance-talks-in-riyadh ### 2026-07-29: Saudi Arabia launches multinational maritime coalition to protect Red Sea shipping Saudi Arabia has launched a 14‑nation maritime defence coalition to protect Red Sea, Bab al‑Mandab and Gulf of Aden shipping from Houthi attacks, with headquarters in Riyadh. 162 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bab-el-mendeb-fee-plan-by-yemens-houthi-rebels-threatens-global-oil-shipments ### 2026-07-28: Houthi forces target Saudi oil tanker NCC GHAZAL in Red Sea Houthi rebels attacked Saudi oil tanker NCC GHAZAL in the Red Sea on July 28, saying it violated a navigation ban; the ship retreated with no confirmed damage, heightening shipping security concerns. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-attack-on-saudi-tanker-ncc-ghazal-for-breaching-blockade ### 2026-07-28: Yemen's Houthi forces intensify attacks on Saudi oil sites amid naval blockade In late July 2024, Yemen’s Houthi movement imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and struck tankers and Aramco facilities, while political leaders warned that negotiations are dead‑locked without lifting the 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yemens-houthi-forces-intensify-attacks-on-saudi-oil-sites-amid-naval-blockade ### 2026-07-27: China secures safe passage for oil tankers through Red Sea amid Houthi blockade China negotiated with Yemen’s Houthis for individual clearance of its oil tankers through Bab el‑Mandeb, keeping imports steady as the Houthis’ July 20 blockade raises oil prices above $100/bbl. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-secures-safe-passage-for-tankers-through-houthicontrolled-red-sea ### 2026-07-25: Houthi blockade cuts Saudi oil shipments via Bab al‑Mandeb and Yanbu Houthi blockade of Saudi vessels cuts Bab al‑Mandeb traffic to 11 ships, reduces Yanbu oil loadings by 30‑40%, damages Buqayq refinery and forces 16 Saudi tankers to turn back. 43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bab-almandeb-shipping-traffic-drops-to-11-vessels-after-houthi-strikes-on-saudi-oil-sites ### 2026-07-24: India asserts open Bab al‑Mandeb shipping under international law India’s foreign ministry said Bab al‑Mandeb must stay open under international law, while Yemen’s Houthi rebels say they only restrict Saudi‑linked ships and claim missile attacks on two oil tankers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-asserts-open-bab-almandeb-shipping-under-international-law --- Cite as: Saudi-led maritime alliance operationalizes amid Houthi%20g*. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-attacks-on-bab-al-mandeb-shipping