Saudi Forces Partake in Several War Games to Boost Stability

Saudi fighters fly over Greece as part of the Eagle Eye 1 military maneuvers (SPA)
Saudi fighters fly over Greece as part of the Eagle Eye 1 military maneuvers (SPA)
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Saudi Forces Partake in Several War Games to Boost Stability

Saudi fighters fly over Greece as part of the Eagle Eye 1 military maneuvers (SPA)
Saudi fighters fly over Greece as part of the Eagle Eye 1 military maneuvers (SPA)

The Saudi Defense Ministry is stepping up efforts to develop the Kingdom’s defense capabilities through exchanging military expertise at war games Saudi Arabia is partaking in alongside other countries in 2021.

Saudi air forces, navy and army have participated in drills at diverse military training sites inside the Kingdom and abroad. In the first 90 days of 2021, Saudi Arabia took part in around seven different military maneuvers that tested its defense capabilities under various circumstances.

According to observers, Riyadh is strengthening its leadership position and developing its military capabilities with allies to help boost stability in the region.

“Saudi forces are uniquely interested in military maneuvers in the Arab region, and actively participate in regional or international military exercises,” retired Maj.-Gen. Shami Al Daheri told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He added that the Kingdom enjoys high defense capabilities and carries out its military operations with high precision to avoid civilian collateral damage.

“Saudi forces, especially the Royal Saudi Air Forces (RSAF), possess great combat readiness. They have proven this by confronting Houthi attacks and other attempts to undermine security in the Kingdom,” said Daheri.

“Aerial targeting carried out by Saudi forces against Houthi outposts in Yemen is characterized by being very accurate and works to ensure that civilians and non-military installations in Yemen are not affected,” he added.

It is worth noting that the RSAF is taking part in Eagle Eye 1 military drill scheduled for March.

Last week, the RSAF arrived with its full air, technical and backing up crews in Souda Airbase at the Greek island of Crete, where they, alongside their Greek counterparts, will carry out air sorties and joint exercises over the Mediterranean Sea.

The drill aims to boost the skills of the air and technical crews, raise the combat readiness of the Saudi air force and exchange military expertise.

Daheri described the Saudi-Greek maneuver as “unique” in terms of it taking place over the Mediterranean.

“The theater of operations has a very large role in the success of the exercise,” he noted, but stressed that the location has nothing to do with current tensions among neighboring countries.



UAE Sentences Killers of Israeli Rabbi to Death

The court unanimously sentenced the three defendants who carried out the murder and kidnapping to death, while the accomplice who aided them received a life sentence. (WAM)
The court unanimously sentenced the three defendants who carried out the murder and kidnapping to death, while the accomplice who aided them received a life sentence. (WAM)
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UAE Sentences Killers of Israeli Rabbi to Death

The court unanimously sentenced the three defendants who carried out the murder and kidnapping to death, while the accomplice who aided them received a life sentence. (WAM)
The court unanimously sentenced the three defendants who carried out the murder and kidnapping to death, while the accomplice who aided them received a life sentence. (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates on Monday sentenced three people to death for the murder of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who was killed in November in the Gulf country, state news agency WAM reported.

The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court ruled the murder of Zvi Kogan, 28, was committed by the defendants in pursuance of a "terrorist purpose," according to WAM.

Attorney General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi had ordered the four defendants to be brought to a swift trial in January 2025, following investigations conducted by the State Security Prosecution, which revealed that the defendants had tracked and murdered the victim.

The evidence presented by the State Security Prosecution to the court included the defendants' detailed confessions to the crimes of murder and kidnapping, along with forensic reports, post-mortem examination findings, details of the instruments used in the crime, and witness testimonies.

The court unanimously sentenced the three defendants who carried out the murder and kidnapping to death, while the accomplice who aided them received a life sentence followed by deportation from the country after serving his sentence.

Under UAE law, sentences of capital punishment are automatically subject to appeal and are referred to the Criminal Division of the Federal Supreme Court for review and adjudication.

The Attorney General stressed that the verdict reflects the UAE’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in accordance with the highest standards of justice and the rule of law while ensuring fair trial guarantees. He stressed that the UAE judiciary resolutely confronts any attempts to undermine national security and stability.

Furthermore, the Attorney General added that the United Arab Emirates stands as a global model of coexistence and tolerance, where its laws protect all residents, regardless of religion or ethnicity, ensuring their safety and security.