Saudi Arabian Armed Forces Participate in Multinational Military Exercise in Turkiye
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: The Saudi Arabian Armed Forces are currently engaged in a multinational military exercise in the Turkish city of Izmir, as confirmed by the Kingdom’s Defense Ministry on Wednesday.
Ahead of the commencement of the field-exercise phase of EFES 2024, Saudi units arrived in Turkiye and were warmly received by Commodore Adel Al-Kalthami, the military attaché at the Saudi embassy in Ankara, Brigadier General Nasser Al-Suhaimi, the director of the exercise from the Kingdom, and officers representing various branches of the Armed Forces.
The exercise comprises two primary phases, the first of which involved a command-center exercise conducted at the Multinational War Center in Istanbul and the Joint Command Training Center in Izmir. This phase, which commenced on April 25th, concluded on Wednesday. The second phase, featuring live-firing field exercises at Izmir’s Doganbey Firing and Exercise Area, is scheduled to begin on Friday and will continue until May 30th.
Maj. Gen. Adel Al-Balawi, the head of the Saudi Armed Forces Education and Training Authority, emphasized that the participation of Saudi forces in the exercise underscores the commitment and support of the Saudi leadership towards enhancing the capabilities and skills of the nation’s armed forces. He highlighted the exercise as a valuable opportunity for participating nations to exchange expertise, conduct joint training in the planning and coordination of operations across diverse environments, elevate combat proficiency, and bolster military cooperation.
Throughout the exercise, Saudi units, alongside their counterparts from other participating countries, will execute a series of field maneuvers encompassing both land and sea operations. These maneuvers will include sea-landing operations, search and rescue missions, and responses to drone threats, utilizing live ammunition and various weaponry, as outlined by Maj. Gen. Al-Balawi.
The participation of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces in this multinational exercise reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to regional security and stability, as well as its ongoing efforts to enhance military readiness and interoperability with allied nations.
