French Embassy also stated that with nearly 650 soldiers deployed, the French Forces in the United Arab Emirates (FFEAU), is one of France‘s advanced operational bases abroad. „As such, it supports the French military assets deployed in the Persian Gulf and the north of the Indian Ocean. Due to its conditions, it also allows training of French soldiers in combat actions in desert as well as urban areas,“ the statement added.

As French Joint Forces Commander in the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN), the Commander of the French Forces in the United Arab Emirates (COMFOR FFEAU) exercises authority over a maritime area stretching from the south of Suez Canal in the west to the western limits of the waters of Burma, Indonesia and Australia in the east.