Qatari Coast Guard concludes maritime exercise titled ‘Dibel 2’
Over the past few years, Qatar has been focusing much more on improving its defence mechanisms.
As part of the plans, the country’s armed forces, as well as navy and air force wings, have conducted several joint exercises with their counterparts from the region and Europe.
The latest such exercise was conducted by the Operations Department of the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security.
Named ‘Dibel 2,’ the training exercise helped measure the authorities’ readiness to deal with accidents at sea, as well as to improve coordination, training and efficiency between different entities, reported Gulf Times.
While it was not an attack simulation, the exercise involved an operation by the forces in containing a fire and oil spill due to the explosion of a maritime vessel named Dibel.
They also played out a scenario of a rescue operation for the injured crew of the vessel.
The drill was conducted in coordination with the Qatar Amiri Air Force, General Directorate of Industrial Security and Qatar Petroleum, according to Qatar Tribune.
“The exercise achieved its objectives, which was to equip participating members to be ready for any accidents and maritime tasks. We’re always ready for any contingency, be it accidents of commercial vessels and oil tankers, confronting smugglers on Qatari waters or protection of gas and oil stations,” said Lt. Col. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mohannadi, the Assistant Director-General of Coasts and Borders Security.
