Global Maritime Drill to Support Security in the Middle East Kicks Off

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with naval officials during the launch of IMX/CE22 at the Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. (CENTCOM)
Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with naval officials during the launch of IMX/CE22 at the Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. (CENTCOM)
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Global Maritime Drill to Support Security in the Middle East Kicks Off

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with naval officials during the launch of IMX/CE22 at the Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. (CENTCOM)
Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa with naval officials during the launch of IMX/CE22 at the Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. (CENTCOM)

The International Maritime Exercise (IMX/CE22) kicked off with the participation of the Egyptian Naval Forces and the Western Joint Forces Command.

IMX/CE22 is one of the most extensive joint international maritime exercises globally and the largest in the Middle East, with the participation of 51 countries at the Joint Command Center for Training in Bahrain.

The combined training includes 9,000 personnel and 50 ships from more than 60 partner nations and international organizations operating across two regions.

It is also the largest unmanned exercise globally, with more than 80 unmanned systems from 10 nations participating.

The Egyptian military spokesman said that the training, which will last for several days, comes within the framework of the plan of the General Command of the Armed Forces to upgrade the level of forces and exchange experiences with the armed forces of brotherly and friendly countries, and support efforts for maritime security and stability in the region.

The training is expected to witness several theoretical and practical training activities to unify maritime concepts among the participating countries.

It will also include training on confronting atypical maritime threats, implementing naval security measures, securing ships carrying important cargo, and combating naval mines.

Training will also focus on enhancing capabilities in command and control, sea control, maritime security operations, medical training, and mine countermeasures.

The drill underscores the depth of the strategic partnership and the extended relations between the Egyptian Armed Forces and their counterparts from the countries participating in the training, according to the spokesman.

IMX/CE22 is the seventh iteration of IMX since its establishment in 2012 and will conclude on Feb. 17.



Gunman Shot Dead, 3 Police Injured in Shooting near Israeli Embassy in Jordan

Image of the Israeli embassy building in Amman. (Archive)
Image of the Israeli embassy building in Amman. (Archive)
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Gunman Shot Dead, 3 Police Injured in Shooting near Israeli Embassy in Jordan

Image of the Israeli embassy building in Amman. (Archive)
Image of the Israeli embassy building in Amman. (Archive)

A gunman was dead and three policemen injured after a shooting near the Israeli embassy in neighboring Jordan, a security source and state media said on Sunday.
Police shot a gunman who had fired at a police patrol in the Rabiah neighborhood of Amman, state news agency Petra reported, citing public security, adding investigations were ongoing.
Jordan's government communications minister, Mohamed Momani, described the shooting as a terror attack that targeted public security forces in the country. He said in a statement that investigations into the attack were under way.
Jordanian police had earlier cordoned off an area near the heavily policed embassy after gunshots were heard, witnesses said. Two witnesses said police and ambulances rushed to the Rabiah neighborhood, where the embassy is located.
The area is a flashpoint for frequent demonstrations against Israel. The kingdom has witnessed some of the biggest peaceful rallies across the region as anti-Israel sentiment runs high over the war in Gaza.
Police had called on residents to stay in their homes as security personnel searched for the culprits, a security source said.