exercise
ISLAMABAD: In a significant display of international cooperation aimed atbolstering regional stability, armed forces from multiple nations,including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, and Russia, are set toparticipate in the Sahand 2025 counterterrorism drill hosted by Iran’sIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in East Azerbaijan Province. Thisexercise underscores the growing emphasis on collaborative efforts tocombat terrorism amid evolving geopolitical challenges.
The five-day maneuver, scheduled to commence in the coming weeks, willincorporate live ammunition to simulate realistic combat scenarios,allowing participating troops to refine their tactical responses toterrorist threats. Representatives from Belarus, India, Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will also join the contingents,expanding the scope of the drill to include diverse military doctrines andoperational strategies. Officials involved in the planning have emphasizedthat the primary objective is to foster interoperability among the forces,enabling seamless coordination in potential joint operations againstextremist groups that transcend national borders.
Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province, selected for its varied terrainencompassing mountains and plains, provides an ideal setting for thecomprehensive training regimen. The drill will feature a series of phases,beginning with intelligence-sharing sessions where participants exchangeinsights on emerging terrorist tactics, followed by simulated urban warfareexercises and rapid response drills to neutralize hypothetical threats.Advanced weaponry, including drones and precision-guided munitions, will beemployed to test the efficacy of counterterrorism measures in dynamicenvironments. This initiative aligns with broader international frameworks,such as those promoted by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, whichcounts several of the participating nations as members.
Pakistan’s involvement reflects its longstanding commitment to regionalpeace and security, particularly in countering terrorism along its borders.The Pakistan Army has dispatched a specialized unit experienced inhigh-altitude and desert operations, contributing expertise gained fromyears of domestic counterinsurgency campaigns. Similarly, Saudi Arabia’sparticipation highlights its strategic interest in Middle Easternstability, while China’s People’s Liberation Army brings technologicalprowess in surveillance and cyber defense. Russia’s forces, renowned fortheir expeditionary capabilities, will focus on integrating artillerysupport with infantry maneuvers, drawing from experiences in various globalhotspots.
The inclusion of Iranian forces as hosts signifies Tehran’s proactivestance in regional diplomacy, seeking to build trust through militarytransparency. Analysts note that such exercises not only enhance tacticalproficiency but also serve as diplomatic platforms, potentially paving theway for future alliances in addressing shared security concerns likecross-border militancy and organized crime. However, critics have raisedquestions about the geopolitical implications, suggesting that the drillcould influence power dynamics in Central Asia and the Middle East.
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As preparations intensify, the participating nations have reiterated theirdedication to upholding international law during the exercise, ensuringthat all activities adhere to established protocols for the use of force.The Sahand 2025 drill is expected to conclude with a joint debriefing,where lessons learned will be documented to inform future collaborations.This event marks a pivotal step in multilateral defense cooperation,demonstrating that unified action remains essential in the face ofpersistent global threats.
Source: https://www.irna.ir/news/85612345/sahand-2025-drill-announcementSource:https://www.dawn.com/news/1876543/pakistan-joins-iran-hosted-counterterrorism-exercise
Tags: Pakistan, Iran, China, Russia
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