Yemen: PM Bahah Visits Bab al-Mandab Strait

Yemen’s Prime Minister Khaled Bahah visited the coast at Bab al-Mandab Strait, the strategic entrance to the Red Sea and the gateway to the Suez Canal, after the Saudi/UAE-led coalition forces pushed the Houthi/Saleh fighters out of the immediate area. (AP, 3 October)

The coalition officials say their fighters with air and naval support advanced against the insurgent forces on Saturday to retake control of access to Bab al-Mandab Strait. Saudi and Egyptian warships have been deployed off the coast of Yemen to secure the strategically vital strait.

Map credit: eoearth.org

Iran Navy ‘35th Fleet’ dispatched to Gulf of Aden

According to Press TV on 22JUN15:

The 35th flotilla of the Iranian Navy has set off for high seas to safeguard naval routes for the country’s vessels operating in the region.

The flotilla, consisting of Bandar Abbas auxiliary ship and Alvand destroyer, left the country on Monday after the 34th fleet completed its mission and returned home.

The 34th flotilla, which comprises the Bushehr logistic vessel and Alborz destroyer, had left Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas for the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait on April 8.

COMMENTARY: The Iran Navy 35th Fleet consists of the following two vessels:

- IRINS Alvand (ex-Saam) (71) Alvand class (Vosper Mk5 type) frigate (FFG)

- IRINS Bandar Abbas (421) Bandar Abbas class light replenishment ship (AORLH)

The 35th Fleet-- like the 34th Fleet it replaces-- consist of naval vessels of the Alvand and Bandar Abbas class.

File imagery of IRINS Alvand (71) frigate

File imagery of IRINS Bandar Abbas (421) light replenishment ship