The US Central Command stressed that the International Multi-National Combined Maritime Exercise (IMX19), which kicked off on Monday, emphasized the “global resolve” to maintain regional security, stability, freedom of navigation and free flow of trade.
The statement issued by the Central Command on Monday through its platforms on social networking sites, followed a meeting that gathered Vice Admiral James Malloy, commander of the US Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet and Rear Adm. Abdullah Al-Shammari of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
“IMX19 serves to demonstrate the global resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce from the Suez Canal south to the Bab El-Mandeb Strait through the Strait of Hormuz to the Northern Arabian Gulf,” the Central Command said on twitter.
The Royal Saudi Naval Forces have been taking part in the International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19), which began on Sunday in Manama, Bahrain and are being hosted by the US Naval Forces Central Command.
Al-Shammari said in previous statements that the participation of his country’s forces in this international exercise comes within efforts to strengthen international relations and sustain joint work with the rest of the world’s navies through the participation of 56 countries and 7 international organizations.
