Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea during a telephone call, according to the Saudi Press Agency. In the call, the two leaders also reviewed the latest regional developments, with attacks targeting vessels in the Red Sea among the issues raised.

SPA said Erdogan reaffirmed his condemnation of Houthi attacks on ships and clarified Turkey’s position on assaults against vessels operating in the Red Sea. He also welcomed Saudi Arabia’s initiative to establish a Saudi-led multinational maritime defense coalition and expressed hope that the coalition would succeed in meeting its objectives.

Saudi Arabia has announced plans for the coalition to ensure the security of shipping in the Red Sea. The plan emerged after the Houthis claimed attacks on four Saudi oil tankers and also claimed attacks on Saudi oil facilities, including installations in Jizan and Yanbu. The coalition’s stated objective is to build a coordinated defense system to address attack risks along the important maritime route.