Saudi Arabia, UK Launch Partnership to Support Yemen’s Coastguard
Riyadh, September 16, 2025 — Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom have announced a new partnership to strengthen Yemen’s coastguard operations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, areas facing growing security threats.
At a joint press conference in Riyadh, officials said the initiative will help Yemen’s internationally recognized government improve its ability to counter piracy, human trafficking, smuggling, and recent attacks on commercial vessels.
The program is being funded through contributions from more than 35 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, Gulf nations, and the European Union. Saudi Arabia pledged $4 million, according to its ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber.
British diplomats highlighted that the support would include training, equipment, and operational assistance for Yemeni coastguard forces.
Japan’s ambassador to Yemen, Yoichi Nakashima, noted that stronger control of the country’s coastline was a “first step” but cautioned that it may not immediately curb all security challenges in the region.
The partnership comes amid heightened maritime risks, with recent incidents underscoring the strategic importance of securing key shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
