Saudi Arabia and the UAE announce joint military exercise with other Arab nations

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Jordan and Egypt, announced a joint military exercise on Sunday.

The exercise, named Tuwaiq 2, will last two weeks and will aim to achieve readiness and operational compatibility and integration, Saudi state news agency Spa reported. Kuwait and Bahrain will participate as observers.

Tuwaiq 2 will largely focus on air exercises and will be carried out in different stages.

The exercise will focus on achieving high levels of operational readiness among the participating countries and will include training for tactical airdrops.

The air forces participating in the exercise will arrive on Friday to Prince Sultan Air Base, accompanied by logistical and support staff.

The announcement of this joint military exercise follows the start of military exercise by the UAE and Egypt that focused on improving combat readiness of the two nations.

The Zayed 3 exercises are due to continue until June 30.

Ground personnel from the UAE Armed Forces and troops from the Egyptian Army launched military exercises under the banner Zayed 3 in the UAE this weekend. Wam

The Zayed 3 exercises involving the UAE Armed Forces and Egyptian Army will run until June 30. Wam

The Zayed 3 exercises are designed to increase the combat readiness of UAE Armed Forces and Egyptian Army personnel. Wam

The Zayed 3 exercises involving the UAE Armed Forces and Egyptian Army also underline the historic and strategic relations between the two countries. Wam

Military co-operation between the UAE and Egypt is built on a long history. Wam

Held amid the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the Zayed 3 exercises testify to the ability of the UAE to achieve recovery and the UAE Armed Forces' achievements in organising major military exercises, in line with the best international practices.. Wam

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.