UAE withdraws from U.S.-led maritime task force

ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates has withdrawn from a U.S.-led combined maritime task force.

According to state news agency WAM, the decision was made two months ago after an assessment of security cooperation with all partners.

The 34-nation, U.S.-led maritime task force is based in Bahrain and is designed to combat terrorism and piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf.

“As a result of our ongoing evaluation of effective security cooperation with all partners, two months ago, the UAE withdrew its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. 

“The UAE remains committed to responsibly ensuring the safety of navigation in its seas, in accordance with international law,” the statement further said. 

Most analysts said the decision was made because of repeated U.S. failures to thwart Iranian threats.

The UAE Foreign Ministry said the country is committed to dialog and diplomatic engagement to promote regional security and stability.

Since 2019, there have been several attacks on ships in the region.

Most of these attacks have been attributed to Iran.

In late April and early May, Iran seized two international oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

In January 2022, a barrage of armed drones killed three civilians near Abu Dhabi. The attack, which was claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, marked the first known attack on the country’s territory by Iran’s proxies. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, the UAE had called on the U.S. to take tougher measures to deter Iran following these incidents.

The newspaper said the withdrawal has come as a result of frustration at the perceived U.S. failure to respond to threats.

The UAE, however, disputed the accuracy of the report, calling it a “misrepresentation” of talks between the two countries.