Pakistan, Saudi Arabia hold joint military training in urban combat, tactical drills

• Pakistan’s SSG and Saudi forces conduct Al Battar-II exercise in Tabuk from Nov. 18–26
• Training follows September’s Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement between the two states

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia held a week-long joint military exercise in the Saudi city of Tabuk from November 18 to 26, focusing on urban combat, counterterrorism operations and tactical drills, the Pakistan Army said on Wednesday.

Combat teams from the Pakistan Army’s elite Special Services Group (SSG) and the Saudi Arabian army took part in the Al Battar-II exercise, demonstrating operational skills and enhancing interoperability, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The drills come against the backdrop of deepening security cooperation between the two allies. In September, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement, under which an attack on either country is considered an attack on both, marking one of the most significant defense pacts in their recent history.

“Al Battar-II focused on enhancing joint proficiency in counterterrorism operations, with particular emphasis on fighting in built-up areas, countering improvised explosive devices and refining tactical drills and procedures through integrated training,” the ISPR said in a statement.

The military’s media wing said the exercise was aimed at strengthening the “deep-rooted and historic military-to-military ties” between the two nations.

“All training objectives were successfully achieved, reinforcing the commitment of both nations to regional peace, security and collaborative defense preparedness,” the ISPR added.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia routinely conduct joint air, land and naval exercises, and Saudi military cadets regularly attend specialized training courses in Pakistan alongside counterparts from other Middle Eastern countries.

Earlier this week, Saudi Chief of General Staff Gen. Fayyadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaili visited Pakistan and held separate meetings with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza.

In February, Saudi warships HMS Jazan and HMS Hail participated in the ninth edition of Pakistan’s multinational AMAN exercise in the North Arabian Sea, aimed at strengthening regional maritime security and interoperability among allied navies.

Last year, the Royal Saudi Land Forces and the Pakistan Army conducted joint training in the Pakistani city of Multan, part of an expanding schedule of bilateral military collaboration.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share long-standing strategic, political and economic ties, with the Kingdom hosting more than 2.5 million Pakistanis, the country’s largest overseas workforce and source of remittances.