Maldives seeks parliament approval to join Saudi-led maritime defence alliance
According to the Saudi Ministry of Defence, the alliance is intended for defence and is not directed against a particular country.
Top Stories
The Maldives has decided to join a multinational maritime defence alliance formed by Saudi Arabia and 13 other countries to protect shipping routes through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
President Mohamed Muizzu has submitted the matter to the People's Majlis, seeking parliamentary approval for the Maldives to participate in the alliance and sign its treaty. The request was among the matters submitted to Parliament on Tuesday.
The move comes amid security concerns in the Gulf and surrounding maritime routes linked to conflicts in the region.
The Multinational Maritime Defence Alliance was formed on 30 July with the participation of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Sudan and Comoros.
Representatives from 43 of the 51 countries and organisations invited to the inaugural meeting attended, including the European Union. The United Arab Emirates and Oman did not sign the agreement.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Defence, the alliance is intended for defence and is not directed against a particular country.
Its planned activities include intelligence sharing, joint operational planning, military exercises and monitoring of maritime operations.
The alliance was established amid attacks on vessels travelling through the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi movement, which has announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait is one of the shipping routes connecting the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. An estimated 10 to 12 per cent of global maritime trade passes through the route.
Security around the passage has received further attention as conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States has affected regional shipping and energy exports, including movements through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Maldives' participation in the alliance will require approval from Parliament before the country can proceed with signing the treaty.
The proposal follows other defence arrangements in the region. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a defence agreement last Friday as countries in the region respond to security concerns arising from the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
