UAE withdraws from US-led Middle East Maritime Security Alliance
The Red Sea and Gulf maritime regions are both home to the world's most important shipping routes, which have recorded a series of attacks since 2019.
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US sailors on an amphibious transport dock ship in the Strait of Hormuz on August 12, 2022 (AFP)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Wednesday its withdrawal from a US-led Middle East Maritime Security Alliance two months ago as a result of an assessment of its security ties.
In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry said, "As a result of our ongoing evaluation of effective security cooperation with all partners, two months ago, the UAE withdrew its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces".
The Combined Maritime Forces represents a 34-nation task force, with headquarters located at the US Naval Base in Bahrain, and claim to work on security, counter-terrorism, and counter-piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf regions.
These regions are home to some of the world's most important shipping routes, which have recorded a series of attacks since 2019, which was also a time of tension between the US and Iran.
The statement further noted that the UAE remains committed to dialogue and diplomatic engagement in an effort to promote security and stability in the region, while also ensuring the safety and security of sea navigation in accordance with international law.
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Just a 'mischaracterization'
Per media reports, US political and military officials are urging West Asian allies to develop and boost maritime forces.
This comes after the UAE called out the Wall Street Journal's report on Tuesday, which claimed, citing US and Gulf sources, that the UAE was disappointed by the lack of response by the US to the seizure of oil tankers - calling it a "mischaracterization" of talks between the two nations.
The inland region of the Gulf is considered an international trade route connecting the Middle East to Africa, India, and China.
It has been made clear by Iran of its views toward US military vessels lurking in its water, that it is a threat to national security and creates instability in the region, as it has previously vowed a decisive response to any hostile action by the US that would disrupt the security of the strategic waterway.
