Royal Saudi Navy Concludes 'Tasaddi 5' Drill

One of the training scenarios of Tasaddi 5 exercises (SPA)
One of the training scenarios of Tasaddi 5 exercises (SPA)
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Royal Saudi Navy Concludes 'Tasaddi 5' Drill

One of the training scenarios of Tasaddi 5 exercises (SPA)
One of the training scenarios of Tasaddi 5 exercises (SPA)

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces, represented by the Eastern Fleet, concluded the joint naval exercise “Tasaddi 5.”

The Interior Ministry, represented by border guards in the Eastern Province, and the Energy Ministry, represented by Saudi Aramco and Aramco Gulf Operations, participated in the drills.

The five-day drill kicked off at the King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail. It aimed to protect maritime routes, address threats to petroleum installations, safeguard freedom of navigation, and promote joint action among the participating units.

It included lectures, scenarios, and training on handling floating mines, defending vital installations and oil fields, and dealing with drone ships and unmanned aircraft.

Director of Tasaddi 5 Rear Admiral Khalid al-Shammari confirmed that the exercise aimed to boost the readiness of all participating units, unify joint action, and increase the level of coordination and exchange of information.

Shammari also asserted that the drills aimed to unify leadership and communications to achieve the security and safety of vital installations and oil fields and secure freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf.



Syria’s Leader Meets with Bahraini Diplomatic Delegation

The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
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Syria’s Leader Meets with Bahraini Diplomatic Delegation

The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)
The leader of Syria's new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa meets Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani in Damascus, Syria, January 8, 2025. (Bahrain News Agency/Handout via Reuters)

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa received a delegation from Bahrain on Wednesday and met with the Bahraini foreign minister, state media reported.

The visit was the latest in a flurry of diplomatic overtures by Arab countries to Syria’s new leaders after they overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad in a lightning rebel offensive.

Like other Gulf countries, Bahrain had cut off diplomatic ties with Syria under Assad’s rule during the Syrian civil war, but it reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2018 and gradually restored ties with the Assad government.

Bahrain is the current head of the Arab summit, and days after Assad’s ouster it had sent a message to al-Sharaa offering its cooperation with the new authorities and saying, “We look forward to Syria regaining its authentic role in the Arab League.”