Saudi and Bahraini Naval Forces Launch 'Bridge 25' Joint Exercise

Saudi and Bahraini naval forces Launch 'Bridge 25' joint exercise. (SPA)
Saudi and Bahraini naval forces Launch 'Bridge 25' joint exercise. (SPA)
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Saudi and Bahraini Naval Forces Launch 'Bridge 25' Joint Exercise

Saudi and Bahraini naval forces Launch 'Bridge 25' joint exercise. (SPA)
Saudi and Bahraini naval forces Launch 'Bridge 25' joint exercise. (SPA)

The "Bridge 25" joint naval exercise commenced on Sunday in the Kingdom of Bahrain, bringing together the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), represented by the Eastern Fleet, and the Royal Bahraini Naval Force (RBNF). The event was attended by senior military officials from both nations.
The Exercise Director, Naval Colonel Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Abdulqader, stated that "Bridge 25" is designed to enhance the combat readiness of the participating units, standardize tactical concepts, and facilitate the execution of joint operations, the Saudi Press Agency said on Monday.
He also emphasized that the exercise focuses on implementing naval battle management procedures, refining command and control protocols, and enhancing the efficiency of communication systems.
He highlighted that this exercise is part of the ongoing "Bridge" series of drills between the two countries, aimed at strengthening security cooperation, safeguarding territorial waters, and unifying tactical concepts and joint operational efforts.



US Secretary of State Arrives in Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is received by Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Abdulmajeed al-Smari upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on February 17, 2025. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is received by Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Abdulmajeed al-Smari upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on February 17, 2025. (AFP)
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US Secretary of State Arrives in Saudi Arabia

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is received by Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Abdulmajeed al-Smari upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on February 17, 2025. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is received by Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Abdulmajeed al-Smari upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on February 17, 2025. (AFP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday as part of a regional tour he kicked off in Israel on Sunday.

He is expected to hold talks with Saudi officials on bilateral ties and regional cooperation, as well as push forward peace efforts in the region.

Riyadh is hosting on Tuesday talks on the Ukraine war ahead of a summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump last week spoke to Putin by phone and ordered top officials to begin negotiations on the war, which he repeatedly vowed to end during his presidential campaign.

Rubio, who spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday, will meet Russian officials in Saudi Arabia alongside Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, a US lawmaker and a source told Reuters. It was not immediately clear who they would meet from Russia.