Pakistan Navy reviews situation in North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden, safety of trade vessels

Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Taimur (L) and Tughril (R) take part during the multinational naval exercise 'AMAN-23' in the Arabian Sea near Pakistan's port city of Karachi on February 13, 2023. (AFP/File)

• The development comes weeks after Yemen’s Houthi group said they had targeted three ships in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden
• In July, Pakistan Navy assumed command of a multinational task force responsible for ensuring maritime security in regional waters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy on Tuesday held a command and staff conference that reviewed situation in the North Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden as well as deliberated upon measures for the safety of trade vessels passing through them, the navy’s media wing said.
The command and staff conference is the apex decision-making body of Pakistan Navy, in which chief of the naval staff along with all principal staff officers and field commanders undertake review of Pakistan Navy’s policies and plans.
Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf presided over the conference at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad that reviewed matters relating to geo-strategic milieu, national security, operational preparedness, and training of troops, according to the navy’s director-general public relations (DGPR).
“The forum reviewed maritime situation in North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden and deliberated on measures for safety and security of national sea trade passing through the region,” the DGPR said in a statement.
The development comes weeks after Yemen’s Houthi group said they had targeted three ships in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden using missiles and drones.
Houthi militants in Yemen have launched drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait and Gulf of Aden since November. They say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians over the war in Gaza.
The command and staff conference of Pakistan Navy was also briefed by officials on important ongoing and future developmental projects, according to the statement. The naval chief expressed confidence over combat readiness and significant contribution of the navy in maritime domain.
“Chief of the Naval Staff emphasized on strengthening maritime security and maintaining combat readiness so as to effectively respond to any aggression against Pakistan,” it read.
“He urged on acquisition of niche and novel capabilities while exploiting indigenous sources in order to cope with modern day challenges in maritime domain.”
Last week, Pakistan Navy warship PNS Yarmook conducted bilateral exercises with navies of allied countries as part of a Regional Maritime Security Patrol (RMSP) deployment in Bahrain aimed at enhancing naval coordination and the capability of joint operations in the region.
In July, Pakistan Navy also assumed command of a multinational task force responsible for ensuring maritime security in the southeastern waters of the Middle East, operating in the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden.