MANAMA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- A Bahrain-based international coalition will increase its naval presence in key shipping lanes after increased attacks on merchant vessels.
The Combined Maritime Force (CMF) - a multinational naval partnership of 31 nations, including Bahrain, announced the new measures on Monday.
"Recent attacks against merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb have highlighted that there are still risks associated with transits through these waters," said the CMF statement.
"In addition to several attempts of piracy, attacks by small, high-speed boats using small arms, rocket propelled grenades, and significant amounts of explosives have been conducted," said the CMF statement.
"While these small boat attacks were both unsuccessful, and the identity of the attackers remains unknown, they demonstrate a new threat to the maritime community," the statement said.
"In response to these threats, the CMF will increase the naval presence in the western Gulf of Aden," it said.
Global shipping companies have expressed concern over the Somali pirates and Yemeni militants in the strait.
Nearly four million barrels of oil are shipped daily to Europe, the United States and Asia via the Bab al-Mandab, in addition to other goods.
