Egypt Hosts Bright Star 23 with Participation from 34 Countries

Part of the conclusion of the "Bright Star 2021" training (the Egyptian military spokesman's page on Facebook)
Part of the conclusion of the "Bright Star 2021" training (the Egyptian military spokesman's page on Facebook)
TT

Egypt Hosts Bright Star 23 with Participation from 34 Countries

Part of the conclusion of the "Bright Star 2021" training (the Egyptian military spokesman's page on Facebook)
Part of the conclusion of the "Bright Star 2021" training (the Egyptian military spokesman's page on Facebook)

The Egyptian Armed Forces announced the details of the Bright Star 2023, which aims to enhance military cooperation and combat common threats and risks.

The joint military exercise will run from August 31 to September 14 and involves 8,000 troops from 34 countries, to be held at the Mohammed Najib Military Base.

The military spokesman for the Egyptian Armed Forces published a video clip of previous Bright Star drills to announce the new training.

The spokesman said the training is the most essential and extensive joint exercise in the Middle East.

He added that Bright Star is a global military training on Egyptian soil.

The exercise allows the participating nations to exchange expertise and learn about the latest weapons and military equipment.

It also covers various scenarios of conventional and irregular warfare, including security and counter-terrorism operations.

The exercise involves ground forces, infantry, armored vehicles, artillery units, navy, air force, and special operations forces.



Iraq's Population Reaches 45.4 Million in First Census in over 30 Years

Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)
Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)
TT

Iraq's Population Reaches 45.4 Million in First Census in over 30 Years

Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)
Workers prepare to collect information from the public as Iraq began its first nationwide population census in decades, in Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP)

Iraq's population has risen to 45.4 million, according to preliminary results from a national census, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said on Monday.
The census, conducted on Nov. 20, was Iraq's first nationwide survey in more than three decades, marking a crucial step for future planning and development.
Prior to the census, the planning ministry estimated the population at 43 million.
The last census, conducted in 1997, did not include the Iraqi Kurdistan region, which has been under Kurdish administration since the 1991 Gulf War.
It counted 19 million Iraqis and officials estimated there were another 3 million in the Kurdish north, according to official statistics.