GCC forces finish 17-day war games

PM lauds professionalism of troops

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 26, (KUNA): The joint Gulf forces, the Peninsula Shield, finalized Tuesday a 17-day war games in Kuwait that meant to raise the force efficiency and preparedness to protect the Arab Gulf.

“The joint work and harmony among GCC forces have reached an advanced level,” His Highness Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak AlHamad Al-Sabah told reporters following the final stage of the ninth GCC military maneuver.

“These full preparedness and professionalism of Kuwaiti and other GCC forces are a source of pride for GCC people and leaderships.” HH Sheikh Jaber conveyed to the participating forces the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah and His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah.

The exercises comprised training operations within the system of joint defense of the land, air, sea and air defense forces of the six-nation GCC.

“The Peninsula Shield war games aim at bolstering military cooperation, the application of the joint defense strategy, development of the sense of collective security and unity among GCC countries,” Deputy Chief of Staff of Kuwaiti Army Lieutenant General Abdelrahman Al-Othman said.

“It also sends a clear message that the GCC states are ready to protect their security, stability sovereignty and activate the concept of joint defense,” he added.

Al-Othman spoke high about the outstanding performance of the different military units during the joint exercises.

Meanwhile, the Peninsula Shield Force Commander Major-General Mutlaq bin Salem Al-Azima thanked all participating military units on their high performance.

“The impressive success of this maneuver is the fruit of non-stop cooperation among GCC militaries and the high professionalism and well training of GCC forces personnel,” AlAzima said.

Al-Azima also described the Peninsula Shield as a force of stability and peace in the region.

“The GCC forces do not flex muscles or impose a threat on any country, but rather it is a force of stability and peace in the region and the whole world, as it is led by wise peace-loving leaders,” he said.

Al-Azima reiterated that the Peninsula Shield exercises in Kuwait is pre-scheduled and has nothing to do with recent developments in the region.

“Peninsula Shield annual exercises are planned in advance till 2024,” he said, adding that the tenth military maneuver will be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Azima expressed gratitude for Kuwaiti political and military leaderships for employing all potential to render the exercise a success.

In the meantime, Saudi Army Chief of Staff General Hussein Al-Qubail said the wellplanned maneuver was precisely implemented by the personnel.

Bahraini Chief of Staff Major General Duaij bin Salman Al-Khalifa said the exercise is best response to any force that dares to threat the GCC stability.

“The well-trained and well-equipped GCC force has the ability to deter any enemy and protect the GCC states,” he said.

The Peninsula Shield force was formed by the six GCC member states — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — in 1982 as a 5,000strong force but has since expanded to more than 30,000 troops.