RIYADH: The US military said Monday that naval exercises with Saudi Arabia aim to maintain freedom of navigation in the regions waters. The Royal Saudi Naval Forces have been taking part in the International Maritime Exercise 2019 (IMX 19), which began on Sunday in Manama, Bahrain and are being hosted by the US Naval Forces Central Command. "IMX19 serves to demonstrate the global resolve in maintaining regional security and stability, freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce from the Suez Canal south to the Bab El-Mandeb Strait through the Strait of Hormuz to the Northern Arabian Gulf," Central Command said on twitter. During the exercises, Vice Adm. James Malloy, commander of the US Navys Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, greeted Rear Adm. Abdullah Al-Shammari of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces. (US Central Command) and assistant commander of IMX 19.