04.08.2026 07:30
14 countries, including Turkey, have supported the Multinational Naval Defense Alliance planned to be established under the leadership of Saudi Arabia against security threats in the Red Sea. However, it was stated that Ankara has not yet formally joined the alliance, and technical talks regarding the legal framework and mission definition are ongoing. The alliance aims to ensure the safety of commercial vessels along the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab-el-Mandeb line.
The increasing security threats in the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden have brought a new security mechanism for the protection of international trade routes to the agenda. As efforts accelerate to establish the Multinational Naval Defense Alliance planned under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, Turkey is also closely following the process.
According to diplomatic sources, Ankara has not yet officially become a party to the alliance. Technical negotiations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia regarding the legal framework, mission definition, and functioning of the alliance are ongoing.
51 COUNTRIES CAME TOGETHER
According to the news from Türkiye newspaper, representatives from 43 countries and the European Union attended the meeting hosted by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense on July 30. In the meeting, which included a total of 51 countries with online participation, the new security mechanism for protecting international sea routes, preventing attacks on commercial vessels, and ensuring global trade security was discussed.
In the joint statement issued after the meeting, 14 parties, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and the internationally recognized government of Yemen, supported the planned multinational naval defense alliance. Officials stated that Turkey supported the joint statement, but the legal and technical process required for the alliance to officially take effect is still ongoing from Ankara's perspective.
ANKARA'S PRIORITIES ARE ENERGY AND MARITIME SECURITY
Turkey considers the uninterrupted continuation of maritime transport, especially in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Strait of Hormuz, to be of strategic importance for both national and global economies.
Ankara points out that energy supply security directly affects not only regional countries but also the global supply chain extending from Europe to Asia, and considers ensuring maritime transportation and navigation safety among its priority topics.
Therefore, while Turkey supports the elimination of threats to maritime trade, it emphasizes shaping the planned alliance within the framework of international law, regional balances, and a common security understanding.
HEADQUARTERS WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN RIYADH
According to Saudi Arabia's proposal, Riyadh will be the founding and leading country of the multinational naval defense alliance. The alliance's main headquarters is also planned to be located in Saudi Arabia.
In the coming period, after countries wishing to join complete their national approval processes, it is aimed to sign the alliance's charter and officially activate the structure.
The main mission of the mechanism to be established will be to prevent attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab el-Mandeb line, protect international maritime passages, increase intelligence sharing, and strengthen the security of global trade with a common defense understanding.