Gulf States in first joint naval exercises with Israel
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have launched joint naval exercises with Israel for the first time, amid tensions with Iran, the US and Israeli military officials said Thursday.
The five-day maneuvers are taking place in the Red Sea, a year after the two Gulf Arab countries normalized ties with Israel.
“It is exciting to see US forces training with regional partners to enhance our collective maritime security capabilities,” said Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command. “Maritime collaboration helps safeguard freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade, which are essential to regional security and stability.”
The exercises, which began on Wednesday, include boarding, search, and seizure training on the USS Portland, an amphibious transport dock ship.
It is the first publicly announced military cooperation by the UAE and Bahrain with Israel since they established diplomatic relations in September last year.
