Egypt has started its multinational military exercise “Bright Star” on 2 September with the participation of 21 countries to enhance security ties with the countries involved.
The exercise, which kicked off on 02 September is set to extend until 17 September, and is taking place in the Mohamed Naguib base in the northern Matrouh governorate, local media reported.
The military spokesman published an infographic on Sunday to explain the goals of the exercise and the countries involved, including the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
According to the spokesperson, Arab countries participating besides Egypt are Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.
The exercise also includes other African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania.This is in addition to Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Greece and Pakistan.
The goals of the exercise, according to the spokesman, include training on atypical combat acts, developing joint work and getting to know the latest international combat systems.
Enhancing the strategic and security ties between the countries involved, exchanging expertise and developing the combat techniques among them are also part of the goals, according to the spokesman.
Meanwhile, Egyptian-Cypriot military training “Ptolemy 2021” kicked off on Thursday with the participation of Special Forces from both countries.
The first phase of the exercise includes holding a set of theoretical and practical lectures, with the aim of unifying combat concepts and refining the skills of the participating forces.
The exercise comes as part of the Armed Forces' plan to exchange expertise and boost military cooperation with sisterly and friendly countries, as well as advance joint action with their Cypriot counterparts.
Furthermore, Egypt’s paratroopers and commandos concluded a joint training that involved the US troops with the aim of countering terrorism, a statement by the military spokesman read last week.
The first phase of the exercise includes holding a set of theoretical and practical lectures, with the aim of unifying combat concepts and refining the skills of the participating forces.
The exercise comes as part of the Armed Forces’ plan to exchange expertise and boost military cooperation with sisterly and friendly countries, as well as advance joint action with their Cypriot counterparts.
The training showed the special performance of the forces and the firm cooperation and coordination to implement all tasks required with efficiency, the statement added.
“Bright Star 2021 is an important professional development tool to test and validate concepts, procedures, and tactics. More broadly, they enable militaries to grow capabilities, and prepare to quickly respond to demanding crisis situations,” said Steven J. deMilliano, Director of Exercises and Training Directorate, United States Central Command.
He also hailed the warm reception and hospitality, stressing that the United States considers Egypt one of the most important strategic partners in the region.
Bright Star builds on the strategic security relationship between Egypt and the United States, which plays a leading role in regional security and efforts to combat the spread of extremism.
The leaders of the participating forces expressed their happiness with the high spirits of the participating forces from various countries, hoping that the Bright Star 2021 exercises would achieve their planned goals in a way that strengthens the relations of military cooperation between the armies of the participating countries.
The first Bright Star exercise took place in 1980 with this year being the 17th iteration.
