The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) handed over Monday the command of Combined Task Force 152 (CTF 152) to its Kuwaiti counterpart in a ceremony at the US Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home to US Fifth Fleet.

Capt. Talal Alkandri of the Kuwaiti Naval Forces assumed leadership of CTF 152 from Capt. Assem Alamri of the RSNF, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

During RSNF’s command, CTF 152 conducted various specialized operations to enforce maritime security, ensure the safe passage of global shipping, and combat criminal and terrorist activities.

The operations included joint maritime exercises, patrols, focused missions, as well as command center training and vessel inspection courses with US forces.

Established in 2004, CTF 152 is one of five task forces operated by the Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain aiming to bolster regional maritime cooperation, enhance maritime security in the Arabian Gulf, safeguard international waters, and counter illicit activities and terrorist threats.

In another development, and under the patronage of Commander of the Joint Forces Lieutenant General Mutlaq bin Salem Al-Azima, the Civil-Military Operations Department of the Joint Forces launched a training course Sunday in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The course, held at the Southern Region Command headquarters in Khamis Mushait and at the Jazan Force, focuses on “Protecting Health Care from Violence” and is scheduled to run for two days.

The training is designed to enhance capacity in safeguarding health care services from violence, covering key topics such as the distinctions between international humanitarian law and international human rights law, strategies for protecting health care from violence, and the guidelines provided to the armed forces on this matter. The course also includes contributions from the ICRC on protection activities.

During the event, Commander of the Southern Region Major General Mohammed bin Ali Al-Omari highlighted the significance of these courses, emphasizing their profound impact.

Furthermore, Director of Civil-Military Operations for the Joint Forces Major General Pilot Abdullah bin Dakhil Al-Hababi reaffirmed the Arab Coalition Forces' commitment to supporting legitimacy in Yemen and strengthening cooperation with the ICRC to ensure the protection of civilians in conflict zones.