'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
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'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday the launch of the “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region.

The exercise is being conducted with the participation of branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, including land, air, naval, and air defense forces, as well as the Ministry of the National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and military forces from 15 allied and partner countries.

Spears of Victory 2026, one of the largest air exercises in the region, aims to enhance military partnerships, strengthen the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, raise combat readiness, and achieve advanced levels of operational coordination and integration among participating forces.

The exercise focuses on unifying the concept of joint military action, boosting joint operational readiness, and executing and evaluating tactics to address current and emerging threats. It includes a series of advanced training activities, such as joint and combined tactical operations, specialized academic lectures, and operational missions designed to improve the performance of aircrews, technical, and support personnel.

The exercise also evaluates modern military tactics, including electronic and cyber warfare, within a multidimensional operational environment that simulates real operational conditions.

Forces participating in the exercise include those from Bahrain, Bangladesh, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye, the UK and United States.

The Air Warfare Center, one of the most advanced training facilities in the region, supports the development of combat plans, the assessment of capabilities, and the testing and evaluation of systems and weapons.



Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned on Thursday Iran's attempts to target Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

The Kingdom stressed that “these cowardly attempts and Iran's repeated blatant aggression against countries in the region reveal a hostile approach that cannot be justified.”

This behavior “clearly violates international laws, norms, and the principles of good neighborliness while pushing the region toward further escalation,” the ministry said.

The Kingdom expressed its full solidarity with the governments and peoples of Türkiye and Azerbaijan, affirming their right to protect their security, airspace, territorial integrity, and citizens, and commended their efforts to avoid escalation and maintain regional security and stability.


6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
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6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo

Falling debris from an intercepted drone injured six people in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the UAE's media office said.

"Authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi responded to an incident involving falling debris at two locations in the ICAD 2 area, following the successful interception of a drone by air defenses.

The incident resulted in six minor to moderate injuries to Pakistani and Nepalese nationals," Abu Dhabi media office said in a statement.


EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting Convenes Thursday to Discuss Iranian Crisis

Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
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EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting Convenes Thursday to Discuss Iranian Crisis

Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 

A European official revealed that the foreign ministers of the European Union and their counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are scheduled to hold virtual talks Thursday to discuss the war in the region. The meeting was called for by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.

Christophe Farnaud, the EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting comes at a critical moment for both sides and will provide an opportunity to express solidarity, exchange views and positions, and explore frameworks for joint cooperation.

He added that Iran’s attacks and its violation of the sovereignty of the EU’s partners in the region cannot be justified, stressing the EU’s solidarity with all its Gulf partners.

The European diplomat said the EU’s close engagement with Gulf countries reflects its support for efforts to de-escalate tensions and encourage constructive dialogue.

He continued that both sides must also look ahead, emphasizing that the European Union is committed to strengthening and deepening its strategic partnership with GCC partners, advancing cooperation across all fields, and reinforcing their shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.

The virtual meeting, called by Kaja Kallas, comes amid escalating violence in the region following the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

EU foreign ministers had already held an emergency online meeting on Sunday, during which they reviewed the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the repercussions of the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

They are also seeking to define a unified European position toward the ongoing crisis, while discussing the situation of energy markets, regional stability, and the status of EU citizens in the region.