Operation ATALANTA Co-organises The Doraleh II Regional Exercise In Djibouti
From 26 to 30 October 2025, the second edition of the DORALEH capacity enhancement exercise took place in Djibouti. The main goal was to improve regional cooperation, maritime security and improvement of capacities among nations, international forces and institutions related to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
As part of the DORALEH II exercise, multiple seminars and training sessions were carried out to improve the knowledge and capacities in maritime security of the trainees.
Theoretical seminars
After the launching ceremony that took place at Djibouti Regional Training Centre (DRTC) facilities with the presence of several authorities, conferences started with a legal seminar focused on counter piracy and legal finish.
The following days included briefings from subject matter experts to dive on the theoretical part of maritime security. Monday 27 started with a briefing by Dr. Aref Fakhry about the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC) and a video conference focused on Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) registration and evidence by Combined Maritime Forces Combined Task Force 151 Legal Advisor.
Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and Maritime Operations were also detailed by Combined Maritime Forces Combined Task Force 154 trainers. A table-top exercise led by EU CRIMARIO based on the IORIS platform served to conclude the first part of the schedule.
The end of the week saw two seminars about the legal framework of port security and code-control and verification of ships compliance briefed by Dr. Aref Fakhry. Search and Rescue (SAR) naval procedures were briefed by Commander Paolo Margadonna to enhance trainers’ knowledge on maritime security procedures. A visit to ATALANTA Orion Detachment provided the exercise attendees with the opportunity to see the operation’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. The exercise ended with a closing ceremony onboard JS HARUSAME.
Exercise at sea
The practical part of the exercise took place on Tuesday 28 with the exercise at sea. It consisted of a counter piracy exercise with the participation of the ATALANTA flagship ESPS VICTORIA, JS HARUSAME, the Japanese P3C aircraft, one patrol boat of the Djibouti Navy, the Special Operations team of ATALANTA and the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Djibouti.
All forces combined their efforts in the exercise that saw a possible real case scenario with different trainings to enhance interoperability. These activities at sea ensure better coordination between regional and international forces to provide maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean.
DORALEH Regional Exercise
DORALEH II brought together representatives from the Berbera Coast Guard - sponsored by EUTM and EUCAP Somalia -, Department of the Coast Guard, Djiboutian Gendarmerie, Djiboutian Navy, Djiboutian Coast Guard, Djibouti Regional Training Centre personnel, JS HARUSAME, the Japanese P3C aircraft, the Japan Self-Defense Forces in Djibouti, Oman Navy, Puntland Maritime Police Force, Somali Police Force, Yemen Coast Guard, Yemen Regional Maritime Security Center and Operation ATALANTA team.
In March 2024, EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA and the Djibouti Regional Training Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding. It aimed at structuring the exchange of information between the two parties on training activities and enhancing the capacity building activities between the two parties. The DORALEH exercise series are a follow up of this signature.