MANAMA: The Kuwaiti Naval Force received the command of the Duty Force (152) from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces during a reception and handover ceremony at the headquarters of the Naval Forces Command in the Bahraini capital Manama in the presence of the commander of the Fifth Fleet, Lieutenant General George Wyckoff. Marine Brigadier General Talal Al-Kandari, who received the Command, stressed in a speech during the ceremony the importance of the timing in enhancing joint efforts between friendly countries, continuous training, and gaining experience, which in turn strengthens the concept of maritime security in the Arabian Gulf region.

Al-Kandari pointed out that the ceremony is not only for the purpose of transferring leadership but also to highlight the joint commitment to consolidate stability, cooperation, and peace in the region, stressing that “the prosperity and security of our region are closely linked to the safety of these waters.”

He pointed out that the work of the Force (152) in cooperation with the international partners emphasizes the importance of unity and shared responsibility in addressing maritime challenges. “Together we have made great strides in enhancing awareness of the maritime field, conducting joint exercises, and promoting a spirit of cooperation that transcends national borders,” he added.

He stressed that the Kuwaiti naval force is steadfast in its commitment to this mission, and “we will continue to build on this strong foundation laid by our Saudi counterparts, and our focus will be on maintaining high levels of readiness and enhancing alignment with our allies and ensuring our contributions to the overall goal of regional stability,” he said.

The ceremony was attended by the Kuwaiti military attache in Bahrain, Brigadier General Mohammed Rashid Mohammed, in addition to a large number of representatives of the coalition countries, such as the British ambassador, the Saudi Consul, and a number of military attaché officers of those countries. — KUNA