Qatar has officially taken command of Combined Task Force 152 (CTF 152), strengthening its role in Gulf maritime security. The handover ceremony took place on September 15 in Manama, Bahrain, marking a new chapter in regional naval cooperation.
During the event, Kuwaiti Navy Commodore Mohammad Alarefi transferred authority to Qatari Brigadier General Hamad Saleh Al-Ahwal, underscoring the continuity of regional commitment to protecting one of the world’s most strategic maritime zones.
Strengthening Regional Maritime Cooperation
Established in 2004, CTF 152 operates under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 47-nation naval partnership tasked with promoting security and stability across international waters. Its mission in the Gulf includes:
- Protecting vital maritime infrastructure
- Combating illegal activities and terrorism at sea
- Enhancing cooperation among regional navies
Each command lasts one year, providing member states the opportunity to contribute to shared maritime security responsibilities.
Shared Commitment to Security in the Gulf
In his remarks, Commodore Alarefi emphasized that the change of command was more than a routine handover. “It is a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to maritime security cooperation and peace in one of the world’s most vital maritime regions,” he said.
With Qatar now at the helm, CTF 152 continues to embody the multinational approach of the CMF, which includes member states such as Türkiye, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Jordan, and Gulf nations. Its headquarters remain in Manama, Bahrain, serving as the operational hub for regional maritime security efforts.
The transition of command over CTF-152 to Qatar occurs at a volatile moment in Gulf maritime and regional politics — notably after an Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, on September 9, 2025, targeted a residential complex housing senior Hamas leaders and negotiators. That strike, which killed six people including a Qatari security officer, has sharply escalated diplomatic tensions, raising questions about sovereignty, international law, and the regional implications for maritime and naval security.
