Saudi Arabia will be joining the US-led naval force designed to protect commercial shipping in and around the Middle East Gulf.
An official source at the country’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Kingdom would joined what’s been called the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC).
“The Kingdom’s accession to this international alliance comes in support of regional and international efforts to deter and counter threats to maritime navigation and global trade in order to ensure global energy security and the continued flow of energy supplies,” the spokesman added.
The IMSC’s area of operation covers the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf.
Members of the international alliance is currently limited to just four nations – the US, the UK, Australia and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
On Tuesday the IMSC gathered for what was described as a “main planning conference” aboard the UK landing ship RFA Cardigan Bay.
In addition to the four member states of the IMSC representatives from 25 additional countries were said to have attended the meeting.
The meeting is said to have discussed, among other things, “multinational efforts aimed at enhancing maritime security throughout key waterways in the region”.
Earlier this month it was reported that both Japan and France might be about to commit naval assets to the initiative.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Japan was considering sending a destroyer to aid the cause, while Reuters reported that US Defence Secretary Mark Esper had met with French officials.
France had previously declined to join, preferring a European-led effort. Germany and India have both publicly declined, as well.
Initial plans for the coalitions envisaged the US primarily providing intelligence, while "80 or 90%" of the operation would be the responsibility of other members.
