RIYADH – Joint military exercises have begun in the Turkish city of Izmirwith the participation of a number of countries in addition to Saudi Arabiaand host country Turkey, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The Saudi armed forces participated in the EFES 2018 exercises with land,naval and marine special units and F-15 fighter jets.

link>

link>

The commander of the exercise, Colonel Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Duraibi,said the Saudi armed forces participating in the exercise carried out, withthe participation of friendly forces, a number of military tactics,including maritime search and rescue operations in a combat environment.

link>

He stressed that the exercise was an important military drill for a numberof participating countries to apply their diversified military techniquesto which increase their combat ability.

This is the second time Saudi armed forces participated in the EFES drills;the last time being in 2016.

link>