|
Bahrain Frigate Joins War On Terrorism
 |
| Bahrain’s only frigate to join U.S. military campaign |
MANAMA, Dec. 30 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Bahrain's only frigate will join the U.S.-led war on terrorism next week, escorting vessels carrying aid for Afghanistan, the military announced Sunday, December 30, news agencies reported.
Amiri Navy frigate Sabha will join the international effort of strengthening the stability and reconstruction of the war-ravaged country, Gulf Daily News reported.
"The Sabha will take part in the international humanitarian efforts and the tasks aimed at strengthening stability and reconstruction of Afghanistan," said Bahrain Defense Force Chief-of-Staff, General Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
“The guided-missile frigate, with a crew of more than 200, will also conduct search, rescue and evacuation operations,” Rashid said.
This is the first time Bahrain has taken part in such an international mission, he told a press conference earlier Saturday on board the Sabha, which is expected to take up its international mission next month, the Gulf Daily reported.
"Within the framework of the goodwill endeavors of the Government of HH the Amir Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,” Sheikh Rashid said, “and in consolidation of its efforts exerted in the service of humanity and for achieving international peace and security, the Sabha will take part in the international humanitarian efforts and the tasks aimed at strengthening stability and reconstruction of Afghanistan.”
"The BDF is proud to carry out this noble task, which is based on the Amiri commitment to this humanitarian obligation to achieve security, peace and tranquillity for the Muslim Afghan people," he said.
"We are fully prepared to accomplish all of the tasks assigned to us," Sabha Commander, Colonel Saquer Hamad Al Muoada, told the Gulf Daily News.
The Sabha, acquired in 1997 from the U.S., is Bahrain's first guided-missile frigate.
Bahrain is home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, but is the first Gulf country to announce it will contribute militarily to the campaign launched against war-torn Afghanistan October 7.
U.S. President, George W. Bush, agreed to designate Bahrain a "major non-NATO ally" after meeting the Gulf state's crown prince, Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, October 25, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
"We stand ready to aid and assist in any way that we can," declared the prince.
Bahrain is the second Arab country to join the U.S.-led war on terrorism, following Jordan, which has sent 200 Special Forces and a medical team to Mazar-e-Sharif in the north of Afghanistan.
|
