Algeria, Russia Hold Naval Exercises Ahead of ‘Desert Shield 2022'

Part of joint Algerian-Russian naval exercises (Algerian Defense Ministry)
Part of joint Algerian-Russian naval exercises (Algerian Defense Ministry)
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Algeria, Russia Hold Naval Exercises Ahead of ‘Desert Shield 2022'

Part of joint Algerian-Russian naval exercises (Algerian Defense Ministry)
Part of joint Algerian-Russian naval exercises (Algerian Defense Ministry)

Two warships belonging to the Russian fleet left on Friday the port of Algiers after conducting a joint exercise with the Algerian navy.

The two countries prepare to hold next month joint anti-terrorist drills dubbed Desert Shield 2022 in Algeria’s desert for the first time.

The Algerian Defense Ministry said in a statement issued Saturday that a Russian fleet, consisting of Stoiky 545 and Soobrazitelny 531 docked in the waters of Algeria for four days, and carried out the 2022 joint naval exercises with the participation of two Algerian naval forces.

The exercise was carried out to strengthen military cooperation between the Algerian and Russian navies.

“The exercises aim to exchange experiences between the Algerian naval forces and their Russian counterparts, as well as to develop operational capabilities and joint interaction in the areas of maritime security,” according to the Algerian statement.

According to observers, the exercises that took place in the Mediterranean are part of a long series of joint military exercises launched since 2017 between Algiers and Moscow.

Last month, around 100 Algerian soldiers took part in the Command and General Staff strategic military exercises “Vostok-2022,” which were held in Russia.

Meanwhile, joint military exercises between the Algerian and Russian armed forces will take place in November in Algeria.

The exercise will be held at the Hammaguir testing ground in Bechar Province near the border with Morocco and would involve about 80 soldiers from motor rifle units stationed in the North Caucasus and about 80 Algerian soldiers.

During the exercise, the forces will practice search, detection and elimination of terrorist groups in the desert setting.

The first joint Russian-Algerian drills took place in North Ossetia in October 2021 with a total of about 200 soldiers participating and about 40 units of combat and special equipment involved.

Algerian defense news outlet MENA Defense confirmed that the place where the new maneuvers will take place “has a symbolic significance, being the site where French forces developed ballistic weapons and conducted space experiments before Algeria regained in 1967, five years following Algeria’s independence.

Algeria has not issued any official statement about the drills.

However, sources interested in the Algerian-Russian military partnership said the objectives and outlines of the drills were discussed during a March 25 visit to Algeria by Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Army Gen. Dmitry Shugaev.



Australia to Recognize Palestinian State at UN in September

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference in Canberra on August 11, 2025. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh / AFP)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference in Canberra on August 11, 2025. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh / AFP)
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Australia to Recognize Palestinian State at UN in September

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference in Canberra on August 11, 2025. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh / AFP)
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks during a press conference in Canberra on August 11, 2025. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh / AFP)

Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at next month's United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday, a move that adds to international pressure on Israel after similar announcements from France, Britain and Canada.

"Australia will recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Sessions of the United Nations General Assembly in September, to contribute to international momentum towards a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages," Albanese said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Albanese made the announcement after a cabinet meeting, and told reporters in Canberra that recognition would be predicated on commitments Australia received from the Palestinian Authority, including that Hamas would have no involvement in any future state.

"A two-state solution is humanity's best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza," Albanese said at a news conference.

Albanese said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and told him a political solution was needed and not a military one.

Australia last week criticized Israel's plan to take military control of Gaza, and Albanese said the decision to recognize a Palestinian state was "further compelled" by Netanyahu's disregard of the international community's calls and failure to comply with legal and ethical obligations in Gaza.

"The Netanyahu Government is extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution by rapidly expanding illegal settlements, threatening annexation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and explicitly opposing any Palestinian state," Albanese said in the joint statement with Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

Commitments by the Palestinian Authority to reform governance, demilitarize and hold general elections, as well as Arab League demands for Hamas to end its rule in Gaza, created an opportunity, he said.

"This is an opportunity to isolate Hamas," he added.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Monday that New Zealand would "carefully weigh up its position over the next month on recognition of a state of Palestine".