Multinational military drill begins at Saudi naval base to bolster Red Sea security

ISTANBUL

A multinational military exercise kicked off at a Saudi naval base on Monday to strengthen Red Sea security and ensure freedom of navigation, the Saudi Defense Ministry said.

A ministry statement said the “Red Wave 8” naval exercise began at King Faisal Naval Base of the Western Fleet in Jeddah city, along the Red Sea coast.

Naval forces from Jordan, Egypt, Djibouti, Sudan, and Yemen, and observers from Pakistan and Mauritania participated in the exercise, according to the Saudi state news agency SPA.

The drill aims to “unify efforts to enhance Red Sea security, protect strategic maritime straits, and ensure freedom of navigation and global supply routes, thereby strengthening energy security and supporting the stability of international trade,” the ministry said.

The drill has witnessed “a qualitative development in operational planning and execution methods by applying the latest combat systems and platforms, enhancing readiness levels and coordination among participating forces,” said Brigadier General Abdullah Mohammed Al-Anzi, director of the exercise.

The drill is scheduled to continue until Nov. 13.

The Red Wave military exercises were first launched in Saudi Arabia in 2018 to consolidate maritime security in the Red Sea, one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.