Latvia’s participation in multinational Operation Sentinel approved by Cabinet of Ministers

Today, on 15 November, Cabinet of Ministers took a decision to allow National Armed Forces join the multinational Operation Sentinel. Goal of the maritime effort led by international coalition under Sentinel command is to restore safe passage through Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

‘USA has been our strategic partner and ally for many years. It plays instrumental role in strengthening of  of Latvia and the whole Baltic region. Politically Latvia must respond to USA’s initiative and support the operation that seeks to improve maritime safety on international level,’ Defence Minister Artis Pabriks underlined.  

Saeima’s draft decision will now need to secure the political support for joining the mission and also express formal support of the parliament for goals and activities of international  maritime  effort.  National Armed Forces will join Operation Sentinel as soon as Latvian and Bahrain sign the Memorandum of Understanding regarding participation. 

Latvia will be represented in Operation Sentinel by Naval Forces of Latvian army. According to plans, Latvia will initially send at least one officer to the operating area near Bahrain. Latvia will initially participate in this multinational maritime safety effort in Strait of Hormuz until 1 December 2024.

International Maritime Security Construct was created by the US for Bahrain region in September of 2019 as response to deteriorating security in the Strait of Hormuz which threatened to cause global security and economic imbalances.  

Several countries have already responded to USA’s initiative and joined international coalition to enable freedom of navigation and freedom of navigation for merchant ships in Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait (BAM) and the Gulf of Oman. 

Latvia is also part of NATO Mission in Kosovo, Mission Iraq, US-led global coalition against ISIS ‘Inherent Resolve’, European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) and UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) mission in Israel.

Media contacts:
Media Relations Section
Military Public Affairs Department
Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
E-mail: prese@mod.gov.lv
Website: www.mod.gov.lv