Egypt, U.S. start joint drill 'Bright Star 2018'

CAIRO - 30 August 2018: A number of US forces and equipment arrived at an Egyptian airbase in preparation for the joint military exercises "Bright Star 2018" due to be conducted from September 8 to 20.

The drills will take place at Mohamed Naguib Base in addition to maritime exercises in the Mediterranean Sea.

Land, naval and air forces from Egypt, US, Greece, Jordan, Britain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Italy and France will take part in the drills.

Several countries, including Lebanon, Rwanda, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, DR Cong, Chad, South Africa, Senegal and Canada, were invited to monitor the exercises.

The drills are meant to exchange expertise among participating forces, hone their skills, develop operations and training mechanisms in combating terrorism, in addition to joint planning and management of military operations and training to confronting maritime security threats.

The exercises also aim at promoting stability in the region.

The Bright Star falls within the framework of joint drills, which the Egyptian Armed Forces conduct to promote military relations with sisterly and friendly states.

The drills also highlight the depth of the military relations between Egypt and the US as well as the strategic partnership binding the two sides.