Maldives Joins Saudi-Led Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition

The Maldives has officially joined the "Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition," a major initiative launched by Saudi Arabia to protect critical commercial and energy supply routes across the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.

Chief of Defence Force, Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, signed the coalition charter on behalf of the Maldives during a special ceremony held yesterday at Bandaara Koshi. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defence and National Service, Honorable Hassan Rasheed; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Iruthisham Adam; Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the Maldives, Yahya Hassan Al-Qahtani; and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the MNDF.

Formed in line with international maritime law, United Nations conventions, and the established norms of international relations, the coalition focuses on ensuring freedom of navigation, upholding maritime security, and safeguarding global commercial corridors that serve the collective interests of seafaring nations.

According to the MNDF, partnering in this coalition alongside Saudi Arabia's close international allies will reinforce longstanding bilateral ties. Furthermore, the move strengthens protection along key maritime shipping passages that supply goods to the Maldives, broadening the nation's strategic role in defending its maritime and economic interests.