As part of an effort to establish deeper military cooperation in the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden region, Saudi Arabia invited several countries to participate in the Red Waves 1 exercise in Jeddah in January 2019. Special operations and marine infantry forces from six Arabic-speaking countries participated in the drills: Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen. Somalia sent observers. Several units participated, supported by Typhoon jets, and the event included shooting at naval and air targets. Red Waves 1, along with another event called Arab Shield, are considered important steps to bolster regional cooperation and security among countries bordering…
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When heavy snow and avalanches left some residents of northern Afghanistan isolated from the rest of the country, Tajikistan agreed to expand free health care for its neighbors to the south. Tajik Minister of Health Nasim Olimzoda and Afghan Ambassador to Dushanbe Saidmasum Badakhshi met in February 2019 to discuss joint cooperation in the medical field. Ambassador Badakhshi stressed the need to treat Afghan residents from Badakhshan province in Tajikistan’s nearby Gorno-Badakhshan region. Paralyzing winter storms prevented Badakhshan residents from seeking help within Afghanistan. Dozens of Afghan citizens received treatment in Tajik hospitals near the Afghan border, a number that…
I would like to express my gratitude to U.S. Central Command for its kind invitation to be the commander who introduces this edition of Unipath magazine, which addresses the importance of achieving stability amid terrorist efforts to upset the security of the region. Egypt’s counterterrorism strategy stems from a firm and steadfast position adopted by the Egyptian Armed Forces. The strategy is based on six pillars. The first pillar depends on countering extremist/terrorist ideologies with enlightened awareness based on the human principles and values of forgiveness and the concept of tolerance established by all divinely established religions. The second pillar requires…
Egypt hosts multilateral military exercise focused on building partnerships and countering terrorism EGYPTIAN ARMED FORCES As the ramps of armored vehicles drop, Soldiers pour into the Egyptian desert and take a position on the battlefield. Movements are sharp and decisive as troops assemble and expertly destroy enemy targets. Firepower from F-16s and Apache helicopters flown by Egyptian and Greek pilots have already weakened the terrorists, paving the way for the ground forces assault. The professionalism and prowess of multinational forces was clear to military leaders watching the Bright Star 2018 military exercise’s combined arms live-fire exercise. Egypt hosted Bright Star at…
Iraqis and Jordanians share lessons learned from the victorious campaign against terrorists in Iraq UNIPATH STAFF Forces that recently emerged victorious from battle — particularly the triumphant troops of the Iraqi Armed Forces — possess unique knowledge of modern urban warfare often denied troops further removed from the front lines. How do terrorists entrench themselves in cities? How do you win the trust of populations under occupation? How do you disable hostile technology like enemy drones and improvised explosive devices? How do you conduct psychological operations against violent extremists like Daesh? Iraqi commanders revealed the answers to such questions at…
Afghanistan’s Gen. Bismillah Waziri is expanding special operations forces to defeat armed terrorists UNIPATH STAFF Photos by MASTER SGT. FELIX FIGUEROA. U.S. ARMY Afghan Gen. Bismillah Waziri is Chief of General Staff of the Afghan National Army. Until recently he commanded the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command (ANASOC), a force that intends to play a larger role in defeating armed extremists in the country. These troops are specially selected and trained to provide a mobile, well-armed force based across Afghanistan for maximum flexibility. The general graciously sat down for an interview with Unipath. Unipath: What is the size and composition of…
Troops from Central Asia and Afghanistan combine strength at the Regional Cooperation 2018 exercise UNIPATH STAFF | Photos by THOMAS GAGNIER/U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND The criminal named Abdul Kabeer was running a drug smuggling operation, slipping across an international border in a truck authorized to haul humanitarian aid. Special operations forces received a tip that the aid shipment was a sham and that Kabeer was aligned with terrorists. The multinational command post flew into action — Afghans, Mongolians, Tajiks, Uzbeks and U.S. forces — and drew up a plan of assault. Two teams of special forces troops would conceal themselves on…
Iraqi Brig. Gen. Arkan al-Tikriti helped spearhead the victorious campaign against Daesh When the dust churning from tank treads mingles with columns of smoke streaming from vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices — clouding the progress of battle — Soldiers are motivated by courageous leaders noted for their sound instincts and conspicuous bravery. Such military leaders inspire troops to fight as heroes and defeat the enemy. One such commander is Brig. Gen. Arkan Jalal Fadhel al-Tikriti, the 1st Special Forces Brigade’s Chief of Staff. When the Joint Operations Command needs someone to resolve intractable battles, the name Arkan al-Tikriti resounds throughout the…
Amman’s military mission to Afghanistan reinforced the battle against extremism BRIG. GEN. AZZAM AL-RAWAHNEH JORDAN ARMED FORCES Photos by Jordan Armed Forces Jordan’s persistent strategy has depended on rules, principles and concepts, most of which are aimed at respecting the sanctity of human rights to ensure that people everywhere live decent lives. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is part of this world; it has always participated in and focused its efforts on removing or easing the suffering of people on earth, regardless of their affiliations, religious creeds and ethnicity, especially those who have suffered, and still suffer, from the scourges of war,…
Egypt combines military operations with economic development to stabilize the peninsula EGYPTIAN ARMED FORCES | Photos by AFP/GETTY IMAGES Egypt’s Armed Forces have made strenuous efforts to bring security and stability to the Sinai. Focused on what the military calls the northeastern strategic area, troops have successfully implemented Operation Sinai 2018. The leadership of the Daesh-affiliated terrorist organization calling itself Wilayat Sinai was targeted in northern and central Sinai. All the terrorist outposts discovered were destroyed, and a large number of terrorist, criminal and wanted elements were apprehended, as well as people suspected of supporting takfiri elements. Infrastructure belonging to…