From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Jordan launches ‘Eager Lion’ war games with 33 countries including US, UK, France
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The Jordanian military announces the launch of the “Eager Lion” military exercise, with ground, naval and air forces from 33 countries — 10 Arab and 22 foreign countries in addition to Jordan — represented, including the United States, France and Britain. Israel is not taking part in the drill.
The drills, set to end on May 23, include anti-terrorism and air defense training, army spokesman Colonel Mustafa al-Hiyari tells a news conference.
He says that “Eager Lion” is intended to help fight “terrorist organizations,” and respond to “the proliferation of drones, and biological, chemical and nuclear weapons of mass destruction” as well as major disasters and aiming “to confront the emerging and cross-border threats of this era.”
The exercise, “the largest” since the first “Eager Lion” edition in 2011 according to Hiyari, comes at a time of soaring regional tensions as the war between Israel and Hamas war rages in the Gaza Strip.
#EagerLion May 12-23, 2024 ???????? pic.twitter.com/5gxFKhHKtv
— Antoine D (@AD1968F) May 12, 2024
Jordan, along with the US, the UK and France all helped to intercept a massive barrage of drones and missiles Iran fired at Israel last month.
But the spokesman says that the drills “have nothing to do with regional developments.”
Some of the countries participating include Poland, Norway, Romania, Japan and Australia alongside several Arab states such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Morocco and Lebanon.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.