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A major naval exercise involving Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and several Red Sea nations has begun, drawing attention to the region’s growing strategic importance as Ethiopia expresses unease over shifting maritime alliances. The drill, called Red Wave 8, is taking place in Saudi Arabia with the participation of naval forces from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Sudan, Yemen, and Djibouti. According to the Egyptian military, the multi-day operation will involve joint mission planning, training exercises, and simulations aimed at strengthening regional defenses against unconventional maritime threats.
Egypt said the main goal of the exercise is to enhance cooperation and coordination among the naval forces of Red Sea countries. The Red Sea, which connects the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean, is one of the world’s busiest and most critical maritime routes, carrying a large portion of global trade between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Cairo emphasized that such drills are part of a broader effort to deepen military collaboration and improve interoperability with neighboring countries.
The nations involved in Red Wave 8 are all members of the Red Sea alliance, a regional security partnership originally formed by Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The alliance, which now includes Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Djibouti, Jordan, and Yemen, was established to coordinate efforts in maintaining the security of the Red Sea corridor. Egypt first began discussing the idea of a regional security framework for the Red Sea in 2018 during consultations with the European Union, and the alliance formally took shape the following year.
The Red Sea region has increasingly become a focal point of global military interest. Djibouti, which sits at the southern entrance to the waterway, hosts military bases from several global powers, including the United States, France, China, and Japan. Other countries such as India and Russia have also increased their military and diplomatic presence in the area, while Gulf states, Turkey, and Iran continue to expand their influence through partnerships with governments along the Red Sea. Analysts warn that any instability or conflict in this corridor could disrupt shipping routes vital to international trade and energy supply chains.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia has been observing these developments with growing concern. Although it does not have direct access to the sea, the country views maritime security in the region as vital to its national interests. Ethiopian Ambassador Dina Mufti, who serves on the parliamentary committee for foreign affairs and security, told the BBC that Addis Ababa sees Egypt’s growing involvement in the Red Sea alliance as an attempt to isolate Ethiopia both diplomatically and economically. She described Egypt as the most powerful player in the coalition after Saudi Arabia.
Ethiopia fears that the emerging maritime framework could limit its access to trade routes and regional partnerships, an issue it has long considered crucial to its future security and economic stability. While Dina Mufti did not outline specific measures Ethiopia might take in response, she noted that the country would push back through diplomatic means against what it perceives as efforts to marginalize it.
The situation underscores the complex balance of power in the Red Sea region, where global and regional actors are competing for strategic influence. With alliances shifting and security priorities evolving, the Red Wave 8 exercise symbolizes not only military cooperation but also the geopolitical competition shaping one of the world’s most vital waterways.