The Iraqi Naval Base Command in Umm Qasr conducted a joint naval exercise with the French Navy in Iraqi territorial waters on Monday, as part of enhancing military cooperation between the two countries and exchanging naval expertise.

In a statement to Shafaq News Agency, the Iraqi Navy mentioned that the exercise involved the Iraqi patrol boat P-310 from the Second Patrol Boat Battalion of the First Naval Brigade, alongside the French ship SEINE. The exercise focused on developing operational skills and improving coordination between the two sides in carrying out naval missions.

The French ship's commander praised the combat readiness of the Iraqi naval forces and the high skills of their members in protecting territorial waters, emphasizing the importance of continued joint cooperation between the naval forces of both countries.

Eric Gomez, the military attaché at the French Embassy in Iraq, announced last Saturday the arrival of the French military ship "La Seine" at the Umm Qasr Naval Base in Basra Province, as part of enhancing military cooperation between the two countries.

In a statement to Shafaq News Agency, Gomez said that "the ship's arrival continues the dialogue with the Iraqi partner, especially in the naval field, as Iraq requested support from France in training and organizing its future naval base in Fao."