Sudan, UAE conclude joint military exercise

FIJAB, Sudan, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) armies on Thursday concluded a joint military exercise in eastern Sudan.

The one-week drill, dubbed "Coasts Heroes 1," included training projects in coasts security, implementation of training systems and combat theories, training of modern and sophisticated weapons as well as tactic manoeuvres.

Air force, naval force and artillery as well as ground infantry soldiers from both countries took part in the joint exercise.

Head of Sudanese Army's Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant-General Saad Mohamed al-Amin, reiterated the importance of the joint exercise as it helps the two armies to achieve combat readiness.

"This exercise has been implemented under the motto 'Cooperation, Strength and Peace'," said Amin while addressing the exercise's closing ceremony Thursday.

"This exercise has strengthened the Sudanese-UAE ties at the military level," he noted.

Head of Operations Command of UAE Army, Lieutenant-General Aqab Shaheen al-Ali, for his part, praised the efforts by the commands of the two armies which resulted in the success of the joint exercise.

"This exercise has achieved its aspired training goals, including interaction of forces, raising combat readiness and exchanging experience," said Ali when addressing the ceremony.

The joint military drill aimed at raising the combat capability and readiness to face regional challenges and increasing the coordination between the Sudanese and UAE armed forces.

The UAE's warship Jabal Ali 5, which arrived at Port Sudan naval base in eastern Sudan on Dec. 6, took part in the joint military exercise.

The exercise is the first of its kind within the framework of joint military cooperation protocols signed between Sudan and the UAE. Enditem