Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad al-Naqib, the official spokesman for the Southern Armed Forces, confirmed today, Saturday, that the Southern Armed Forces are fully prepared to assume their duty and responsibility in making an effective and pivotal contribution to protecting the security and stability of the maritime shipping lanes in Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden.

This came in a press statement issued by the Captain, on his page on the social networking site “Twitter”, in which he congratulated the Southern Armed Forces on the ninth anniversary of its founding.

The captain said: “During the past years of its establishment, our southern armed forces, defense and security, have proven their efficiency and worth as an effective and important partner for the Arab coalition in confronting the threat and Iranian expansion in the region, and in combating terrorism.”

He added: “It has proven through its components, achievements and doctrine that it is a qualitative national tributary to the regional and Arab defense and security system and an integral part of it in the present and future.”

The captain stressed that “our southern people, through their armed forces, are fully prepared to assume their duty and responsibility in making an effective and pivotal contribution to protecting the security and stability of the maritime shipping lanes in Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden.”

He pointed out that “the South, with its geographic location and characteristics extending from Bab al-Mandab to Socotra, and its strategic and vital geopolitical importance for ensuring international navigation and security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden...this geography confirms the importance and necessity of the South being a pivotal partner in any special international alliance.” “For the security of the region and international navigation.”

The Captain concluded his statement by saying: “We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the leadership of the Arab Coalition and the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their continued support for the southern armed forces, and we affirm our commitment to strengthening cooperation and joint coordination in order to achieve security and stability in the region.”