Context: –
Recently the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced its withdrawal from the US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a maritime alliance.
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An overview of the news
- A few weeks ago, Iran seized two tankers within a week in Gulf
waters near the Strait of Hormuz.
- The second tanker, Niovi, was on its way from Dubai to the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
- The UAE was disappointed by the lack of US response to the recent tanker seizures, saying it was a “misrepresentation” of the talks between the two countries.
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Why did UAE withdraw from this alliance?
- The UAE did not give any specific reasons for withdrawing from the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in an official statement.
- This could be part of a broader strategy by the UAE to assert its own regional influence, pursue independent foreign policies, or rebalance its relations with China and Iran.
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About Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
- It was established in 2002.
- Its objective is promoting security, stability, and prosperity across maritime regions.
- Member Nations – 34 member nations: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, and Yemen.
- Its main operations are counter-narcotics, counter-smuggling, suppressing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation.
- Focus Areas – Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf, and surrounding areas.
- In April 2022, India had announced that it would join the CMF as an Associate Partner.
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UAE withdraws from US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), UAE withdraws from US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
