Abu dhabi: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, received H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, during a visit to Manama. The visit marked Sheikh Hamdan's presence at the "Bahrain Shield" joint military exercise, hosted by the Bahrain Defence Force. The exercise included participation from the Mohamed bin Zayed Squadron, military units from GCC countries, the Peninsula Shield Force, and Saudi Arabian forces.
According to Emirates News Agency, the exercise aimed to bolster joint Gulf military cooperation, enhance coordination among the armed forces of GCC countries, and featured scenarios and drills to improve combat readiness. These exercises were designed to facilitate expertise exchange and strengthen command-and-control systems, equipping participating forces to tackle various security and defence challenges.
During the meeting, King Hamad expressed Bahrain's pride in the strong fraternal ties and historic partnership with the UAE. He emphasized the development of bilateral relations, serving shared interests and supporting both nations' development goals. The King and Sheikh Hamdan were briefed on the exercise phases, which showcased the efficiency and professionalism of the participating forces.
King Hamad highlighted the Gulf Cooperation Council's history of successful joint action among member states. He praised the UAE Armed Forces' King Hamad Brigade's participation, acknowledging the UAE's support for Gulf nations. His Majesty also lauded the contributions of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait to the exercise, noting the high performance levels demonstrated by all participating forces.
Sheikh Hamdan conveyed greetings from President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to King Hamad. He praised the exercise's organisation and the capabilities shown by the forces, which reflected operational readiness and strong deterrence capacity against challenges.
The meeting addressed regional developments and the importance of Gulf unity in overcoming challenges. Both sides emphasized maintaining coordination to safeguard GCC achievements and ensure security and stability.
At the visit's conclusion, Sheikh Hamdan underscored the strategic UAE-Bahrain relations, emphasizing their shared vision for regional security and stability. He highlighted that these ties support the GCC's efforts in addressing challenges while promoting development and prosperity. Sheikh Hamdan was welcomed at Bahrain International Airport by prominent Bahraini officials and accompanied by several senior UAE officers during the exercise.