LOC17:33
14:33 GMT
(With photos)
KUWAIT, 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 Al-Hamad
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 Al-Sabah and His Highness the
Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber 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 said that 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," Al-Azima 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 well-planned maneuver was precisely implemented by the personnel.
Bahraini Chief of Staff Major General Duaij bin Salman Al-Khalifa said the
exercise is best respond 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 5,000-strong force but has since expanded to more than 30,000
troops. (end)
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