Gulf Countries Conclude Exercise Dir Al Jazeera 10
The exercise aimed to reinforce the military cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and unify their strategic military plans
Dr. Shaul Shay
| 24/03/2019
GCC summit in Kuwait City (Archive photo: AP)
Exercise Dir Al Jazeera 10 (Peninsula Shield 10) was held from February 21 to March 9, 2019, in the Jubail region in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The two-week drill was launched in the presence of commander for the exercise, Gen. Abdullah bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, and commanders of participating Gulf forces. Al-Qahtani welcomed all participants and thanked them for their efforts in the planning and preparation of the drill.
The exercise aimed to reinforce the military cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and unify their strategic military plans.
All GCC countries, including Qatar, participated in the exercise. Land, air, sea and air defense forces from participating countries took part in the maneuvers, along with Saudi forces such as the Royal Saudi Land Forces, the Royal Saudi Air Forces, the Air Defense Forces and the Saudi Royal Naval Forces.
Bahrain participated in the exercise with a combat group of a ground task force. Oman sent a force from Muscat Regiment of the 23rd Infantry Brigade in the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) took part in the exercise.
Qatar’s Participation
Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates cut ties with Qatar on June 5, 2017. They also launched an economic boycott, stopping Qatar Airways flights from using their airspace, closing off the land border with Saudi Arabia and blocking its ships from using their ports. They say the crisis stems from Qatar's support for terror groups in the region and Qatar's close relationship with Iran.
Qatar refused to comply with a list of 13 demands, saying it would not agree to any measures that threatened its sovereignty or violated international law.
Against the background of the crises, Qatari participated in the exercise. The Qatari force participating in the exercise arrived at the King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia and was welcomed by the head of the reception committee, Brig. Gen. Nasser Ibrahim Al Salem.
Brig. Gen. Khamis Mohammed Dablan, Commander of the Qatari force, said that this exercise supports the bonds of cooperation and relations between the GCC countries, highlighted synergy in the military field, and keeps abreast of the development to face challenges and dangers of various kinds.
The Preparations
The preparations and planning for this exercise began in 2018. The preparations included many joint meetings that discussed the necessary arrangements and procedures and the appropriate locations of the exercise.
Brig. Gen. Abdul Aziz Al-Ashool, Director of Operations of the Joint Task Force, revealed that the wargames consist of four phases:
The first phase was the arrival of the forces via land, maritime and air entry points. The theoretical training phase included conferences for all participating forces from all GCC countries.
The second phase was the command center drill. This exercise trained commanders to manage military operations and use simulators in virtual military operations. The latest combat simulators were employed to test military operations. These systems and simulators were being operated by Saudi armed forces.
The third phase consisted of field training with live ammunition. The fourth phase included the closing ceremony and departure of forces.
The Concluding Ceremony
The concluding ceremony for the exercise was attended by Chief of Staff Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, his counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and several military and security officials
The leadership of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia honored the heads of delegations participating in the exercise. The Commander of the Qatari Force, Brig. Gen. Khamis Mohammed Dablan, exchanged shields and souvenirs with the Commander of the Eastern Province, Assistant Commander of the Eastern Province and Commander of Al Jazeera Shield Forces.
Summary
The exercise came against the background of growing tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the other GCC countries. It was conducted shortly after a large-scale Iranian exercise in the Persian Gulf.
Exercise Dir Al Jazeera 10 was one of the largest military exercises in the region in terms of troop numbers, participating countries, diversity of expertise and quality of weapons.
The exercise aimed to maintain the security and stability of GCC countries, by addressing the causes of regional instability and threats, training the commanders of joint Gulf Forces, and reinforcing military and security cooperation and coordination.
[Sources: The Gulf Today, Al Defaiya, The Peninsula, Pakistan Defense, Arab News, Asharq Al Awsat]
The exercise aimed to reinforce the military cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and unify their strategic military plans
GCC summit in Kuwait City (Archive photo: AP)
Exercise Dir Al Jazeera 10 (Peninsula Shield 10) was held from February 21 to March 9, 2019, in the Jubail region in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The two-week drill was launched in the presence of commander for the exercise, Gen. Abdullah bin Saeed Al-Qahtani, and commanders of participating Gulf forces. Al-Qahtani welcomed all participants and thanked them for their efforts in the planning and preparation of the drill.
The exercise aimed to reinforce the military cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and unify their strategic military plans.
All GCC countries, including Qatar, participated in the exercise. Land, air, sea and air defense forces from participating countries took part in the maneuvers, along with Saudi forces such as the Royal Saudi Land Forces, the Royal Saudi Air Forces, the Air Defense Forces and the Saudi Royal Naval Forces.
Bahrain participated in the exercise with a combat group of a ground task force. Oman sent a force from Muscat Regiment of the 23rd Infantry Brigade in the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) took part in the exercise.
Qatar’s Participation
Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates cut ties with Qatar on June 5, 2017. They also launched an economic boycott, stopping Qatar Airways flights from using their airspace, closing off the land border with Saudi Arabia and blocking its ships from using their ports. They say the crisis stems from Qatar's support for terror groups in the region and Qatar's close relationship with Iran.
Qatar refused to comply with a list of 13 demands, saying it would not agree to any measures that threatened its sovereignty or violated international law.
Against the background of the crises, Qatari participated in the exercise. The Qatari force participating in the exercise arrived at the King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia and was welcomed by the head of the reception committee, Brig. Gen. Nasser Ibrahim Al Salem.
Brig. Gen. Khamis Mohammed Dablan, Commander of the Qatari force, said that this exercise supports the bonds of cooperation and relations between the GCC countries, highlighted synergy in the military field, and keeps abreast of the development to face challenges and dangers of various kinds.
The Preparations
The preparations and planning for this exercise began in 2018. The preparations included many joint meetings that discussed the necessary arrangements and procedures and the appropriate locations of the exercise.
Brig. Gen. Abdul Aziz Al-Ashool, Director of Operations of the Joint Task Force, revealed that the wargames consist of four phases:
The first phase was the arrival of the forces via land, maritime and air entry points. The theoretical training phase included conferences for all participating forces from all GCC countries.
The second phase was the command center drill. This exercise trained commanders to manage military operations and use simulators in virtual military operations. The latest combat simulators were employed to test military operations. These systems and simulators were being operated by Saudi armed forces.
The third phase consisted of field training with live ammunition. The fourth phase included the closing ceremony and departure of forces.
The Concluding Ceremony
The concluding ceremony for the exercise was attended by Chief of Staff Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, his counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and several military and security officials
The leadership of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia honored the heads of delegations participating in the exercise. The Commander of the Qatari Force, Brig. Gen. Khamis Mohammed Dablan, exchanged shields and souvenirs with the Commander of the Eastern Province, Assistant Commander of the Eastern Province and Commander of Al Jazeera Shield Forces.
Summary
The exercise came against the background of growing tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the other GCC countries. It was conducted shortly after a large-scale Iranian exercise in the Persian Gulf.
Exercise Dir Al Jazeera 10 was one of the largest military exercises in the region in terms of troop numbers, participating countries, diversity of expertise and quality of weapons.
The exercise aimed to maintain the security and stability of GCC countries, by addressing the causes of regional instability and threats, training the commanders of joint Gulf Forces, and reinforcing military and security cooperation and coordination.
[Sources: The Gulf Today, Al Defaiya, The Peninsula, Pakistan Defense, Arab News, Asharq Al Awsat]
