Tunisia hosts a naval military exercise with several countries, including the United States

Tunis, Sept 4 (KUNA) -- The Tunisian Ministry of National Defense announced on Friday that Tunisia will host the multi-lateral maritime military exercise “Phoenix Express 26” from September 6 to 18, in cooperation with the U.S. Africa Command and with the participation of 400 military personnel and observers from 13 countries. The ministry said in a statement that the participating countries are Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Malta, Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Georgia, the United States, and Tunisia, the host country. It clarified that Tunisia will host five warships taking part in the exercise, which aims to enhance regional cooperation and develop joint operational capabilities in maritime security by training naval crews on the effective utilization and integration of modern systems, equipment, and means in maritime operations, and by improving their skills in countering illicit maritime activities and all forms of threats and organized crime, such as smuggling and human trafficking, thereby contributing to the security and stability of the Mediterranean. The exercise program includes a series of theoretical lessons and practical workshops for participants in several maritime fields, such as the use of unmanned surface vehicles, ship boarding and inspection, maritime inquiries, resistance to biological and chemical weapons, medical support and first aid, and regulations governing maritime activities. (End) S.B.M. / R.J.