Exercise North Thunder
| North Thunder | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Military exercises |
| Location | |
| Target | Raise the technical and combat efficiency combat readiness to carry out joint missions between the participating States forces rates |
| Date | February–March 2016 |
| Executed by | Armed Forces of Saudi Arabia Turkish Armed Forces Egyptian Armed Forces Sudanese Armed Forces Military of UAE Jordanian Armed Forces Kuwait Army Bahrain Defence Force Military of Yemen Tunisian Armed Forces Pakistan Armed Forces Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces Malaysian Armed Forces Royal Moroccan Armed Forces |
North Thunder (or in Arabic: رعد الشمال Raʿad aš-Šamāl / Raad al-Shamal) was a joint military exercise held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the participation of 20 Arab and Islamic countries; notably the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, Sudan, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, Chad, Comoros, Tunisia, Oman, Malaysia and Yemen in February–March 2016.[1]
Purpose
The exercise aimed to raise the technical and combat efficiency of the units involved and improve logistics and readiness rates for the implementation of joint security and stability missions in the region, notably Syria.[2] A spokesman for the Arab coalition forces, Ahmad Assiri, said the aim of the exercise is to achieve the highest level of preparedness, exchange expertise and promote coordination among the 21 participating countries.[3]
It has also been suggested, considering the forces involved, that the exercise could be the beginning of a land assault on Syria in conjunction with the Turkish Land Forces invading Syria from the north. On 13 February The Independent reported that Saudi troops and fighter aircraft were deploying to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey in preparation for intervention in Syria,[4] however this could simply indicate a Saudi recommitment to the Military intervention against ISIL which was downgraded following the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.[5] Possible direct involvement in the war in Syria has unsettled many Saudis as the war in Yemen appears to be a stalemate and the Saudi economy has been affected by low oil prices.[6]
Resources involved
According to unofficial sources, around 150,000 soldiers, 2,540 warplanes, 20,000 tanks, and 460 helicopters will participate in the largest military exercise in the history of the region.[3][7][8] Jane's Defence Weekly noted that based on official media releases the exercise appeared smaller than Bright Star 2000, which was held in Egypt in 1999 and involved around 73,000 troops from 11 countries.[9]
Manoeuvres executed
The exercise commenced on 14 February 2016 and concluded on 10 March near King Khaled Military City in northeastern Saudi Arabia, with the participation of various military disciplines of artillery, tanks, and infantry, and air defense systems, naval forces.[10][11]
See also
- Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
- Military of the Arab League
- Syrian Civil War
- Military intervention against ISIL
- Iraqi Civil War
- War on Terror
- Iraq Insurgency
References
- ^ "Northern Thunder military exercises begin in Saudi Arabia". Gulf News. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
- ^ "Planned 'North Thunder' a clear message to Tehran". Arabnews. 14 February 2016.
- ^ a b "'North Thunder' sends a message of unity, power". Arabnews. 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia sends troops and fighter jets to military base in Turkey ahead of intervention against Isis in Syria". The Independent. 13 February 2016.
- ^ "Desert Stretch: Saudi Arabia's Ambitious Military Operations". The Washington Institute. 16 February 2016.
- ^ "Concerns in Saudi Arabia over signs of more military involvement in Syria". The Washington Post. 22 February 2016.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia says war games will boost military ties with Muslim allies". Reuters. 22 February 2016.
- ^ "A nervous Saudi Arabia just launched a massive military exercise". Business Insider. 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Saudi 'Raad al-Shamal' exercise looks smaller than billed". Janes's Defense Weekly. 25 February 2016.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia launches military exercise with 20 nations". CNN. 15 February 2016.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia concludes North Thunder exercises". Al Arabiya English. 10 March 2016.
- 2016 in Saudi Arabia
- Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
- Military operations involving Saudi Arabia
- Military operations involving Turkey
- Military operations involving Bahrain
- Military operations involving Egypt
- Military operations involving Jordan
- Military operations involving Kuwait
- Military operations involving Qatar
- Military operations involving the United Arab Emirates
- Military operations involving Yemen
- Military history of Saudi Arabia
- February 2016 events in Asia
- March 2016 events in Asia