Israeli Army Calls Up Reserves During International Drill

Israel and German fighter jets fly over the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during a flyby in a display of cooperation between the two countries and their armies, in Jerusalem on October 17, 2021. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP)
Israel and German fighter jets fly over the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during a flyby in a display of cooperation between the two countries and their armies, in Jerusalem on October 17, 2021. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP)
TT
20

Israeli Army Calls Up Reserves During International Drill

Israel and German fighter jets fly over the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during a flyby in a display of cooperation between the two countries and their armies, in Jerusalem on October 17, 2021. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP)
Israel and German fighter jets fly over the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during a flyby in a display of cooperation between the two countries and their armies, in Jerusalem on October 17, 2021. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP)

The Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) international “Blue Flag” training exercise kicked off in southern Israel on Sunday.

The 13-day drill, in which the air forces of Germany, Italy, Britain, France, India, Greece and the United States are taking part, is held the Negev Desert and will end on October 28.

The Israeli army surprised its soldiers on Monday with an unprecedented military maneuver, during which reservists were called up to a number of units in the army Ground Arm.

According to the army spokesman, the exercise included making phone calls and sending text messages to reservists. Some soldiers were asked to inform their units, according to the instructions provided.

The drill aimed at checking and improving the readiness of reservists, the spokesman noted, adding that it will continue until Tuesday evening as part of the 2021 training program.

“During the exercise, the participants will simulate in-air battles and ground-to-air battles and will practice addressing the threat of advanced surface-to-air missiles and combat behind enemy lines,” he explained.

Launched in 2013, the Blue Flag is held every two years to bolster cooperation between the participant countries.

This years’ drills will focus on the integration of fourth and fifth-generation aircraft, including the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, in complex operational scenarios.

For the first time, the international teams conducted a joint honorary flyover through Israel’s skies.

IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin will lead the flyover in a Baz F-15 alongside an Israeli “Adir” F-35I.

Lt.-Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, Commander of the German Air Force, will fly alongside in the “Eagle Star” Eurofighter, which has been specially painted in the colors of the German and Israeli flags.

“We are living in a very complicated region, and the threats to the State of Israel from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran are only increasing,” said Norkin.

“Holding an international exercise in this reality, while continuing our public and covert operational activities on all fronts, is of utmost strategic importance and has an extensive impact over the Israeli army and state,” he added.



Major Search Continues after Deadly Migrant Boat Sinking Off Cyprus Coast

Handout obtained from Cypriot government’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre shows migrant boat in Mediterranen waters east of Cape Greco in southeastern Cyprus ahead of a rescue operation. (File/AFP)
Handout obtained from Cypriot government’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre shows migrant boat in Mediterranen waters east of Cape Greco in southeastern Cyprus ahead of a rescue operation. (File/AFP)
TT
20

Major Search Continues after Deadly Migrant Boat Sinking Off Cyprus Coast

Handout obtained from Cypriot government’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre shows migrant boat in Mediterranen waters east of Cape Greco in southeastern Cyprus ahead of a rescue operation. (File/AFP)
Handout obtained from Cypriot government’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre shows migrant boat in Mediterranen waters east of Cape Greco in southeastern Cyprus ahead of a rescue operation. (File/AFP)

A major rescue operation continued Tuesday off the southern coast of Cyprus after a migrant boat sank in international waters, with no additional survivors or bodies found since the initial recovery, official said.

Authorities Monday said seven bodies had been recovered and two people rescued some 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Cyprus. Officials said the boat was believed to be carrying at least 20 Syrians, The Associated Press reported.

The island republic's Joint Rescue Coordination Center confirmed an ongoing operation involving military helicopters, rescue vessels and drones, assisted by a helicopter from a British base on Cyprus.

“As time passes and no other people are found, hope naturally and dramatically diminishes,” Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas told a press briefing late Monday.

The rescue effort is taking place amid rising irregular border crossings in the eastern Mediterranean, according to the European Union border protection agency Frontex, despite a broader decline across the bloc.

Cypriot officials said they continue to monitor increased maritime movement from Lebanon and Syria amid ongoing regional instability.

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said the first survivor had been spotted during a routine patrol. After that, he said, “the response was immediate, which is why we managed to save the second person very quickly.”