The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday the appointment of a commander for the "Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition" to protect freedom of navigation, and the joining of new countries to it just about a week after its establishment.
The ministry stated in a statement received by the news video agency that "Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shahri has been appointed as the commander of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition."
Al-Shahri will lead joint maritime missions and coordinate among member countries and other alliances, according to the statement.
The coalition currently includes countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United States, Yemen, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Sudan, Morocco, the Maldives, Bangladesh, and New Zealand.
The ministry pointed out that the coalition is "an open international coalition that welcomes the accession of all countries that align with its goals and principles."
It added that the appointment reflects "the commitment of the founding countries to complete the leadership structure of the coalition, enhancing its readiness to carry out its defensive missions to support maritime security, protect freedom of navigation, secure maritime passages and straits, support international trade, and global supply chains within the responsibility sector of the coalition, in accordance with its charter and international law provisions."
It clarified that this step comes "as part of completing the foundational procedures for the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition, and following what was previously announced on July 30, 2026."
The ministry reported that additional countries have completed signing the founding joint statement, while others continue their national procedures to sign the statement and the coalition's charter, in preparation for their official accession as founding countries.
The ministry revealed that a supplementary statement will be issued including the names of the countries that have completed the signing procedures.
It noted that this reflects the expansion of the founding countries' base, enhances the coalition's defensive effectiveness, and establishes a multinational maritime partnership capable of accommodating more countries wishing to support maritime security and stability and strengthen international cooperation.
The stages of establishing the coalition continue with the holding of two planning meetings on August 12 and 13, 2026, to complete institutional building requirements, according to the ministry, without further details.
The meetings will also include the signing of the joint statement and charter by more countries, according to organizational arrangements, in preparation for their official accession to the coalition.
On July 30 of last month, Saudi Arabia announced the approval of 14 countries to establish a multinational maritime defense coalition aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the region, out of 43 countries that participated in an international meeting hosted by Riyadh regarding the coalition.
The meeting included heads of the armed forces and representatives from those countries.
A joint statement delivered by the Saudi Ministry of Defense at the time indicated that the accession of the remaining countries would continue as soon as they complete their national procedures, and that the door to accession remains open to all interested countries, without announcing the names of the founding countries.