Naval forces from seven Red Sea countries started a joint military drill in the Saudi city of Jeddah on Sunday, according to Saudi Arabia’s official SPA news agency.  

 The ‘Red Wave-2’ exercise includes forces from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Yemen and Somalia.  

 The exercise “aims to unify and enhance the maritime security of the countries bordering the Red Sea, protect territorial waters and strengthen military cooperation,”' Commander of the Saudi Western Fleet Vice Admiral Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Harbi said.  

 He added that the drill also aims to enhance cooperation and standardization of military concepts, raise combat readiness and exchange experiences between the participating countries.  

 The exercise comes amid tension in the Gulf after drones hit two oil facilities in the north of Saudi Arabia on September 14. 

 According to a statement by the Egyptian army’s spokesperson Tamer El-Refa’ai, several units of Egypt’s Armed Force are participating in this drill which will last for several days, Daily News Egypt reported.

 “Various naval units including frigates, rocket launchers, minesweepers, and Special Forces from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, and Sudan are taking part in this drill,” the statement read.

 This exercise comes within the framework of supporting military relations and enhancing cooperation between the Egyptian Armed Forces and their counterparts in brotherly countries.

 Meanwhile, the Egyptian and French naval forces conducted a training exercise in the Mediterranean Sea.

 Another statement from the army’s spokesperson indicated that the exercise included artillery shooting and training on how to protect commercial ships while crossing dangerous areas as well as inspection operations of ships.