Egypt and US launch joint Red Sea drills

EXERCISES COME AMID WARMING TIES BETWEEN CAIRO AND WASHINGTON

Egyptian and US forces have launched joint drills in the Red Sea, Egyptian media reported yesterday. Dubbed Eagle Salute 2017, the exercises are being joined by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Pakistan, Kuwait and Italy as monitors, semi-official newspaper Al Ahram said.

The exercises, which run for days, include several activities including joint day and night combat in collaboration with air forces to secure a sea zone against different threats, according to the report.

They also comprise research and rescue sea support as well as inspection and storming of suspected vessels.

Al Ahram said that the drill is part of joint exercises planned by the Egyptian army with “friendly and sisterly” countries to enhance military cooperation and exchange of training expertise according to the latest combat systems.

In recent years, Egypt has sought to boost its military capabilities to back up an ongoing campaign against terrorism. The country has seen a spate of deadly militant attacks since the army deposed in 2013 Islamist president Mohammad Mursi following massive protests against his rule.

Eagle Salute 2017 comes three weeks after Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi made a landmark to the White House where he held talks with US President Donald Trump.

Their talks injected warmth into the Cairo-Washington relations that soured under Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama.

Last week, US Defence Secretary James Mattis met Al Sissi in Cairo where they pledged Egyptian-US cooperation against terrorism.

The last military exercises involving Egypt and the US dubbed “The Bright Star” were carried out in 2009.

In 2013, the US cancelled the exercises due to tensions between Cairo and Washington over the toppling of Mursi’s government.