The US and UK Welcome Jordan's Joining the 'International Maritime Security Coalition'

The United States and the United Kingdom welcomed Jordan's joining the 'International Maritime Security Coalition'. Hisham Khalil Al-Jarrah, the commander of the Royal Jordanian Navy, emphasized the importance of free passage for global commerce and freedom of navigation, stating that his country is committed to playing a role in this area in collaboration with allies and partners, which is why it has joined the coalition. Brad Cooper, commander of the US Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain, along with the 'Combined Maritime Forces' coalition, welcomed Jordan's decision, stating, 'Regional security and stability are a necessity, and Jordan has played an important role in this effort for a long time. Their presence in the [coalition] significantly strengthens our team.' The commander of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom also remarked that Jordan, by joining this dynamic and multinational coalition committed to the free flow of trade in the Middle East, adds to its impressive track record in upholding international rule-based order. He noted that the coalition would continue its vital mission alongside 'our regional and European partners' following Jordan's accession. The 'International Maritime Security Coalition' was formed in 2019 to counter attacks on commercial vessels in the waters of the Middle East. Besides Jordan, 11 other countries—Albania, Bahrain, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States—are members of this international coalition, which is headquartered in Manama, Bahrain. Jordan is also a member of the 'Combined Maritime Forces', which consists of 28 countries including the US, UK, Germany, France, and Saudi Arabia, and is led by the US Naval Central Command and the Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain.