Jordan and the United States kicked off annual military exercises today with about 7,400 troops from more than 20 nations taking part. US and Jordanian officials said the man oeuvres would include border security, cyber defence, and “command and control” exercises, to bolster coordination in response to threats including terrorism.
US Major General and deputy commanding general for the American army in the region Bill Hickman said, this year’s “Eager Lion” exercises — the seventh so far — are the largest and most complex.
A statement by the Jordanian army said troops from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Arab Gulf region are taking part in the exercises which run to May 18th, including from Britain, Japan, Kenya and Saudi Arabia.
Jordan is a key recipient of US financial aid and a partner in the US-led coalition battling Islamic State group jihadists in Syria and Iraq.
