Saudi Arabia Launches Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition (MMDC) for Red Sea Security

15 August 2026National

Saudi Arabia formally launched the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition (MMDC), headquartered in Riyadh, to secure the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Gulf of Aden after repeated Houthi attacks on shipping (Houthis had declared a naval blockade on Saudi-linked vessels on 20 July 2026). Following a Riyadh summit (30 July 2026) attended by 43 nations and the EU, 14 founding members — including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti and Comoros — signed on. Saudi Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri became the coalition's first commander (6 Aug 2026), with Pakistan serving as deputy-commander nation for the first term; the MMDC entered its operational phase on 14 August 2026.

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Bab al-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa | Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia | Red Sea connects to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal

⚡ Quick Revision

Saudi Arabia's MMDC (HQ Riyadh), formed by 14 nations after the 30 July 2026 summit, went operational on 14 Aug 2026 to secure the Red Sea/Bab al-Mandeb; Pakistan is deputy-commander nation.

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