UNIPATH STAFF
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan sharpened their counterterrorism and convoy-protection skills at sea during the 10th iteration of the joint biannual Naseem Al-Bahr naval exercises.
Held off the coast of Pakistan in the Arabian Sea from January 12 to 22, 2013, the maritime warfare exercise also focused on mine countermeasures and special forces operations, as well as sharing resources to fight piracy, arms smuggling and human trafficking.
Members of the Saudi Navy, Marines, Special Operations Forces and bomb disposal teams participated along with their counterparts from the Pakistan Navy’s Special Services Group, Maritime Special Warfare Group, SEALs and Special Operations Forces. Events took place on land, air and sea, and included seminars, tactical training and simulated warfare scenarios.
Pakistani Naval Staff Adm. Mohammad Asif Sandila called the exercise a success and added that all seafaring nations should work together to protect common interests, according to a report in Arab News.
By sharing expertise and working together, the two countries are able to combat threats more efficiently than if they worked alone.
Sources: Arab News, Associated Press of Pakistan, Online International News Network, Pakistan Observer