RIYADH, Aug. 1 – Somalia has joined countries supporting a Saudi-led initiative to establish an international alliance aimed at strengthening security in the Red Sea and protecting one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.
The initiative was announced during a meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, bringing together representatives from 43 countries and the European Union to discuss ways of enhancing international cooperation on maritime security and safeguarding commercial shipping routes.
Somalia was among the countries that signed a joint statement backing the creation of the proposed alliance, alongside Djibouti, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey and Pakistan.
The new framework will focus on securing the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden — strategic waterways through which a significant share of global trade passes.
Somalia’s participation highlights its strategic role in maritime security, given its position along one of Africa’s longest coastlines and its location near key international shipping routes.
The meeting was also attended by senior US officials, including Lieutenant General Joseph Clearfield, commander of the US Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT), reflecting broader international interest in strengthening security cooperation in the Red Sea and surrounding waters.
The Saudi initiative comes amid growing concerns over attacks targeting commercial vessels and critical infrastructure in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, raising fears over potential disruptions to global trade and regional stability.
