Saudi Arabia joins international maritime security alliance
Saudi Arabia joined on Wednesday the International
Maritime Security Construct - a US-led international alliance that aims to
protect merchant ships and ensure freedom of maritime navigation and
international trade, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) cited an official source at
the Ministry of Defense as saying.
"The Kingdom’s accession to the alliance comes
in support of regional and international efforts to deter and counter threats
to maritime navigation and global trade in order to secure freedom of
navigation in the gulf amid heightened regional tensions," SPA reported.
The US formed the coalition after attacks on oil
tankers that were widely blamed on Iran, as well as to address Iran's seizure
of tankers in the region.
The alliance covers areas that include the Strait of
Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf.
Bahrain joined the mission in the Arabian Gulf last
month, joining Australia and the United Kingdom.
