Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has announced the conclusion of the naval exercise between the state of Kuwait, the United States of America, and the Republic of Iraq, which aims to strengthen military cooperation between friendly countries and fight piracy and drug smuggling.
The General Directorate of Security Relations and Media at the Ministry of Interior said in a statement that the military exercise was attended by Kuwait’s Coast Guard General Directorate, the Police Aviation Wing, and the Naval Force of the Army General Staff with the US Coast Guard and the Iraqi Naval Force.
The statement added that the tripartite exercise aims to combat piracy and drug smuggling operations and test the readiness of maritime communications, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
The exercise also contributes to the implementation of field naval exercises and formations, inspections of naval vessels, and protection of territorial and economic waters.
In another development, Iraq’s Prime Minister Muhammed S. Al-Sudani met on Monday, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Interior of Kuwait, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah.
Both sides discussed the bilateral relations and aspiration of both countries to expand cooperation across various fields and levels, emphasizing building productive economic partnerships that contribute to mutual interests, strengthen the security of both brotherly countries, and support stability in the region, according to a statement by the PM Media Office received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
During the meeting, they addressed Kuwait’s participation in the Second Baghdad International Conference on Drugs Control, hosted by Baghdad.
They highlighted the importance of enhancing security cooperation and high-level intelligence coordination to combat the supply chains, transport, and manufacture of these harmful substances, which pose a threat to societies and carry economic and social risks, in addition to discussing taking necessary measures to track and apprehend individuals and entities involved in drug trafficking. (Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior/KUNA; Iraqi Prime Minister’s Media Office/INA; File Photo © U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet)