Saudi Arabia has teamed up with 20 other nations to launch the biggest military exercise every staged in the region - dubbed North Thunder.

The announcement of the manoeuvre comes just two months after the kingdom said it was forming an anti-terror coalition along with 34 other countries.

The exercise is said to involve ground, air and naval forces and according to state media will send a 'clear message' that Riyadh and its allies 'stand united in confronting all challenges and preserving peace and stability in the region.

Saudi Arabia has teamed up with 20 other nations to launch the biggest military exercise every staged in the region - dubbed North Thunder. Pictured are members of the Saudi security forces

It has not been specified when the military exercise will begin or how long it will last, although it has been reported it could be as long as 18 days.

It's taking place in King Khalid Military City in northeastern Saudi Arabia.

Twenty countries will be taking part and among them are Chad, Egypt, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal and Tunisia.

It is being described as the 'most important and largest gathering in the region's history' in terms of the number of nations taking part and the weaponry being used.

The annoucement comes as Saudi Arabia is currently leading a military campaign against Iran-backed rebels in its southern neighbour Yemen.

The exercise is being described as the 'most important and largest gathering in the region's history' in terms of the number of nations taking part and the weaponry being used

Last December, it also formed a new 35-member coalition to fight "terrorism" in Islamic countries.

It also comes as the kingdom, a member of the US-led coalition targeting the ISIS, said it has deployed warplanes to a Turkish air base in order to 'intensify' its operations against the terror group in Syria.

A Saudi source said on Thursday that members of the new 'anti-terrorism' coalition will gather in Saudi Arabia next month for its first publicly announced meeting.