Saudi Arabia elevated it levels of interagency cooperation to combat the increased threat of violent extremism in the kingdom. Saudi security forces, under the leadership of Minister of the Interior His Highness Prince Mohammad bin Nayef bin abd al-Aziz, started its first multilateral exercise for security forces, called Watan 85, in February 2015.
The exercise was held near the kingdom’s northern border and consisted of 1,500 personnel representing border guards, special forces, SWAT, aviation security, civil defense, and command and control of the Ministry of the Interior.
The events covered many security scenarios, including countering the use of car bombs at border checkpoints, monitoring sleeper cells planning to attack government installations, providing emergency medical care, suppressing fire, and restoring order and security during crises.
The exercise was welcomed by many Saudi citizens, who expressed confidence in their security forces on social media.