Royal Saudi Land Forces are preparing for conducting exercises with Omani Forces in the Northern-Western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia early next week.

The Official Spokesman of the Ministry of Defense, Major General Dr. Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Malik said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the exercises called “Mount 13” will last for a period of more than two weeks and come within the framework of military cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

Al-Malik pointed out that the exercises include task forces of paratroopers and Special Forces, units of the Air Force and the Land Forces from the Sultanate of Oman and aircrafts of Royal Saudi Air Force.

Meanwhile, Iranian and Omani naval forces are scheduled to hold joint rescue and relief drills in Iran's Southern port city of Bandar Abbas, a senior Iranian Navy Commander announced on Monday.

First Captain Seyed Amir Golestani, the Commander of the surface fleet at Army's First Naval Zone announced that Oman's Nasr Al-Bahr warship has docked in Bandar Abbas on Sunday (20 January 2013) to attend the joint drills.

He added that part of the Iranian Navy's surface and air units as well as several units of Oman's Royal Navy Force will participate in the drills due to be held in Iran's territorial waters.

Over the last few years, Iran and Oman have expanded military ties and cooperation especially over security in the Persian Gulf.

The two countries signed a security agreement in August 2009.

Later in August 2010, Iran and Oman signed an agreement to further boost mutual cooperation in the field of defense.

A few months later in December, the Iranian Parliament approved a bill that allows Tehran to implement an agreement on security cooperation and coordination with Oman.

 

Source: SPA; FNA