JEDDAH — The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition (MMDC) has entered its operational phase from its command headquarters, marking the transition of the Saudi-led initiative from institutional planning to active implementation.Pakistan Navy Commodore Rashid Sheikh has assumed his duties as deputy commander of the coalition, alongside liaison officers from several member states and countries currently completing procedures to join the MMDC.Additional liaison officers will begin their assignments successively in accordance with the number of positions allocated to each participating country.Rear Adm. Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri from Saudi Arabia serve as commander of the Coalition.The move follows the coalition's third planning meeting, held at the Western Fleet Command in Jeddah on Aug. 13 with representatives from 39 countries, which marked a key step toward activating the MMDC.Fifteen countries have signed the coalition's joint statement, while 13 have completed their national procedures, signed its charter and formally joined, paving the way for the coalition's institutional and operational activation. Other countries are continuing their domestic procedures for membership.The coalition has also made progress in establishing its institutional structure, including the appointment of a Saudi commander and an agreement for Pakistan to hold the deputy commander position during the coalition's first term.A headquarters has been designated and the coalition's official logo approved, while organizational and planning frameworks and reference documents required for its operations have also been completed.The third planning meeting finalized practical arrangements for activating the coalition's bodies and multinational command structure, including preparations to receive officers and personnel from member states and integrate them into the joint command and staff structure. The MMDC aims to establish a sustainable multinational maritime defense framework based on collective maritime security, protecting freedom of navigation and strategic waterways and straits while supporting the continuity of international trade and global supply chains.With member states beginning to deploy personnel and the coalition's command structures becoming operational, the MMDC is moving from building institutional frameworks toward integrating the capabilities of participating countries and achieving operational readiness.The coalition seeks to strengthen maritime security and stability, protect freedom of navigation and shared interests, and contribute to regional and international security in accordance with its charter, reference documents and international law.