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Iftar held on board Italian Navy ship

ABU DHABI — The Italian Navy ‘controlled’ the passage of 1,000 vessels, mainly fishing and cargo dhows, in its 103 days of operation as Task Force 152 while patrolling the Gulf waters to assure the security and stability in the region.

The flagship Etna, along with Commandant Foscari, an escort unit vessel, are the Italian Navy contribution to Task Force 152. The Italian Navy has been leading the Task Force 152 in the Arabian Gulf since June 28 this year.

Diplomats and military officials gathered on Monday night for an Iftar on board Etna, an Italian navy ship docked in Mina Zayed Port here.

According to Rear Admiral Emilio Foltzer, Commander of the Italian Task Group, the main focus of this maritime security operation is to prevent terrorists from using the sea to launch attacks or to move people, weapons or other materials that would support their activities.

“We are also supporting dhows mainly with medical kits and even food supplies, as well as information regarding our mission, so that they will not panic about our presence here,” said Rear Admiral Foltzer.

Etna had also conducted maritime exercises with a few regional navies — Royal Bahraini Navy, UAE Navy, and Saudi Arabian Navy.

Both the flagship and its escort unit set anchor in Mina Zayed Port on October 7, and they are going to stay until October 12.

During this time, the Italian officers will have meetings with UAE officials and a small marine exercise with the Abu Dhabi Coast Guard.

Their next port of call will be Muscat, Doha, Kuwait, Dammam and Manama. The Italian Navy ship will sail back home at the end of December.

• UAE