Maldives has decided to join a Saudi-led multinational maritime defence coalition aimed at protecting key shipping routes and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, was established to strengthen maritime security and protect international trade and energy routes amid growing threats to commercial shipping in the region.

With the Maldives joining the initiative, the government has submitted the Charter of the Multinational Maritime Defence Coalition to Parliament for approval.

The coalition's participating countries have stated that involvement in its activities will remain a sovereign decision for each member state. Its activities will be conducted in accordance with international law, respect for national sovereignty and the principle of freedom of navigation.

Saudi Arabia is the founding and leading member of the coalition and will host its permanent headquarters.

The countries that have confirmed support for the initiative include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia.

The coalition was discussed at a meeting in Riyadh on 30 July attended by representatives from 43 countries and the European Union. The initiative aims to strengthen collective maritime security and protect international shipping and energy routes.

The move comes amid heightened threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, including attacks linked to Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement.