Talks on establishing a new multi-national rapid response force in the region has been discussed by senior US Navy officials with Bahrain playing its part.
The planned coalition aims to help in sudden natural disasters, humanitarian crises and countering the behaviour of ‘malign actors’ at sea.
The US Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) held a video conference call with leaders from Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt to discuss the proposed new alliance.
Security
There has been no further information released about the multi-national regional rapid response force, however, MARCENT in a Twitter post, stated the new coalition would work towards regional security.
It added that the multi-national rapid response force would ‘train and plan together to ensure regional security, defence and stability across a multitude of domains’.
Furthermore, MARCENT commander Lieutenant General Carl Mundy highlighted the importance of establishing the new naval force and alliance.
Capability
“I am optimistic about the future planning with our partners to establish this critical capability in the region that will help to meet mutual interests to secure and defend the region from malign actors, natural disasters and unforeseen humanitarian crises.”
The Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF) has been a part of the eight-nation International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) since it launched operations in November last year.
The IMSC opened its new operational headquarters at the US Navy base, home of the Fifth Fleet, in Juffair in August.
Its mission is to patrol shipping lanes. Dubbed Coalition Task Force (CTF) Operation Sentinel the initiative was launched following a string of high seas incidents.
Bahrain has deployed personnel and its RBNS Al Muharraq, a corvette patrol craft assigned to CTF Sentinel, as part of an international surveillance and detection effort.
More than 17,000 ships per year pass through Bab Al Mandeb, while 42,000 vessels use the Strait of Hormuz – through which almost one-sixth of global oil production and one-third of the world’s liquefied natural gas supplies pass.
The coalition was set up following a number of attacks on the shipping industry last year and the seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Strait by the Iranians.
The other nations playing a part in the IMSC are Albania, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Lithuania, the UAE, the UK and the US.
Bahrain also played a key role when Operation Inherent Resolve was launched in 2014, making it initially the only nation for 54 days that allowed the US to conduct strikes in Iraq and Syria against Islamic State militants from its territory.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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