Royal Saudi Air Force to Participate in Desert Flag Air Exercise in UAE Next Week

The Royal Saudi Air Force will participate next week in the multinational air exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE. - SPA
The Royal Saudi Air Force will participate next week in the multinational air exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE. - SPA
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Royal Saudi Air Force to Participate in Desert Flag Air Exercise in UAE Next Week

The Royal Saudi Air Force will participate next week in the multinational air exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE. - SPA
The Royal Saudi Air Force will participate next week in the multinational air exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE. - SPA

The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) will participate next week in the multinational air exercise “Desert Flag”, at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.
RSAF Commander Lt. Gen. Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud saw off, at King Faisal Air Base in the northern sector, the Saudi team participating in the drill, according to SPA.
He was briefed by the commander of the air force team on the readiness of the team and equipment, met with the members of the team and urged them to exercise utmost effort to fully benefit from the exercise, to do honor to RSAF and to strive to maintain the air force distinction in all forums, highlighting the importance of commitment to safety standards.
The RSAF Commander stressed that the “Desert Flag” is one of the important exercises in the region, adding that RSAF will participate in the exercise with the F-15SA aircraft, with all its air, technical and support crews, and that the participation will enable exchange of military experience, boost readiness and combat efficiency, and strengthen relations with the participating forces.



Trump Says May Visit Saudi Arabia Next Month

US President Donald Trump takes part in a signing of an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 31 March 2025. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump takes part in a signing of an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 31 March 2025. (EPA)
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Trump Says May Visit Saudi Arabia Next Month

US President Donald Trump takes part in a signing of an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 31 March 2025. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump takes part in a signing of an executive order in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 31 March 2025. (EPA)

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he plans to visit Saudi Arabia as early as May in what will be the first foreign trip of his second term, with stops also planned in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

"It could be next month, maybe a little later," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Four sources briefed on the matter said mid-May was being looked at as the timing for the trip. Trump made Saudi Arabia and Israel the initial stops on his inaugural foreign trip during his first term in 2017.

Topics likely to be discussed include Russia's three-year-old war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza, one source said.

Saudi Arabia has played a prominent role in US foreign policy, including hosting US ceasefire talks with Russia and Ukraine.

"An opportunity for international travel for the president is something that is being looked at. We don’t yet have a specific plan, and we will provide that information when it is official," a White House official said ahead of Trump's remarks.