Bangladesh backs Saudi-led maritime defense alliance

Bangladesh has joined 13 other countries in backing a Saudi-led plan to establish a multinational maritime defense alliance focused on protecting major shipping routes in the Red Sea region.

The 14 countries issued a joint declaration supporting the proposed alliance after a meeting hosted Thursday by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense. Saudi Arabia would serve as the founding and leading state and host the alliance’s headquarters.

The initiative would cover the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It is intended to protect freedom of navigation, international trade routes, energy shipments and maritime infrastructure.

Representatives from 43 countries and the European Union attended the meeting. Participating countries will continue work on a charter, organizational structure, command arrangements and operating procedures before the alliance is formally launched. Other countries may join after completing their domestic approval processes.