YEMENI-FRENCH NAVAL EXERCISE BEGINS OFF ADEN

SANA'A, May 19 (Saba) - A Yemeni-French naval exercise has started in the territorial waters in the Gulf of Aden.

The three-day exercise comes to test the abilities of the Yemeni Coastguard in the light of its training plan for this year that includes intercepting, boarding and inspecting suspected ships.

The exercise also includes safeguarding the waterways, offering help for ships passing along them that send distress signals and fighting maritime piracy, smuggling and terrorism.

Deputy Director of the Aden-based Coastguard Abdul Rahman Mousa said the joint exercise with the French warship 'DAG' comes within mutual cooperation between the two counties on fighting terrorism, piracy and boosting the regional security.

MD/FR