Personnel from the Egyptian Armed Forces left Monday for Saudi Arabia to participate in the Thunder of the North joint training, according to a statement by military spokesperson Mohamed Samir.
Combat units of ground and air forces of a number Arab and Islamic countries are taking part in the training for several days in the framework of a plan to conduct joint exercises, Samir said.
The training includes loading and strategic transport of forces from their concentrations to different ports and means to achieve efficiency in carrying out joint tasks between participating states, he added.
In December, Saudi Arabia announced a coalition of 34 mainly Muslim countries, including Egypt, to fight “terrorism” in the region. Egypt is also part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen.
Syria, Iraq and Iran are not part of the coalition; however, Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi visited Cairo Jan. 19 to discuss means to exchange experiences.
