Doha: A Qatari land force comprising a mechanised infantry battalion of the Armed Forces left for Saudi Arabia to take part in ‘Ra’ad Al Shamal’ manoeuvre at the King Khalid Military City in Hafr Al Batin in the north of the kingdom, reports QNA.

‘Ra’ad Al Shamal’ or ‘Northern Thunder’ exercise is the largest of its kind in terms of number of participating countries. Twenty Arab, Islamic and friendly countries and the Peninsula Shield forces are taking part.

The three-week drill aims to promote military cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab and Islamic countries, develop competencies, raise combat readiness, and train the participating forces in modern military mechanisms.

In a statement before leaving for Saudi Arabia, Qatari Force’s Commander Major Rashid Saleh Al Hajri stressed the importance of the drill and the need for cooperation between brotherly and friendly countries and said the exercise addresses any challenge facing the region.

Doha: A Qatari land force comprising a mechanised infantry battalion of the Armed Forces left for Saudi Arabia to take part in ‘Ra’ad Al Shamal’ manoeuvre at the King Khalid Military City in Hafr Al Batin in the north of the kingdom, reports QNA.

‘Ra’ad Al Shamal’ or ‘Northern Thunder’ exercise is the largest of its kind in terms of number of participating countries. Twenty Arab, Islamic and friendly countries and the Peninsula Shield forces are taking part.

The three-week drill aims to promote military cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab and Islamic countries, develop competencies, raise combat readiness, and train the participating forces in modern military mechanisms.

In a statement before leaving for Saudi Arabia, Qatari Force’s Commander Major Rashid Saleh Al Hajri stressed the importance of the drill and the need for cooperation between brotherly and friendly countries and said the exercise addresses any challenge facing the region.