JPSF Commander, We Are Prepared to Protect the Gulf against Terrorism

Joint Peninsula Shield Forces (JPSF) Commander Major-General Hassan al-Shehri, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that JPSF’s mission is to uphold the Gulf’s security whenever and wherever a Gulf state requires it to.

He stressed on the force’s readiness for any stability-keeping mission, in a clarification that they are in agreement on goals set by the Islamic Military Alliance to fight terrorism and its vision announced in Saudi Arabia over the past few months.

The drill, dubbed North Thunder, is held at the King Khalid Military City, located in Hafar Al-Batin City. Al-Shehri explained that the massive military exercise will include troops from 20 different Arab, Gulf, and Muslim nations, along with the JPSF units.

North Thunder works on enhancing the readiness for bilateral missions between forces and the determination of capacities. Exchange of expertise and training for the confrontation of danger and facing challenges threatening the security and stability of the region are also core parts of the preparation.

JPSF possess advanced equipment, enjoys highly trained units, and is prepared to support armed forces in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) to defend its lands against all grudge holders, greedy people, and terrorists for the safe-keeping of both its security and stability.

Combat arms, represented by Arab and Muslim armies, continue to arrive to Saudi Arabia in preparation for joining the North Thunder military instruction. Artillery, tanks, troops, anti-aircraft warfare and navy forces are all coming in to what is considered to be the greatest and most important military drill in the history of the country.

North Thunder will reveal the true potential of Arab and Muslim armies and their capacity to protect their countries’ security. The event is also set to anchor peace into the region, given that all participating countries are persistent on achieving their goals in facing extremism.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, at a session for the cabinet of Bahrain, confirmed that his country should be kept distant from security and economic threats facing regional and international countries. However, it will continue to work within a team spirit alongside fellow countries to stand against security terrorizations confronting the GCC, in addition to participating at the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen to support its government against insurgency.

Bahrain will also be chipping in at the North Thunder drill along with the other 20 partaking countries to protect the people of the Gulf, Arabs, and Muslims from terrorism and to prepare for any threats terrorist organizations could possibly impose.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, other participating nations include Jordan, Bahrain, Senegal, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Kuwait, the Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Chad, Tunisia, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Malaysia, Egypt, Mauritania and Mauritius.

The aim of the exercise is to achieve the highest level of preparedness, exchange expertise and promote coordination among the participating countries.

The North Thunder maneuver will simulate current regional scenarios and will reinforce of military cooperation between Gulf, Arab, and Muslim nations. They will also develop skills to train troops on modern artillery conduct.