Jordan Joins “Eager Lion” International Military Exercise With 22 Other Nations, Israel Not Joining

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Asserting its decision has “nothing to do” with the current crises in the Middle East, Jordan has announced it will join 32 other countries to participate in this year’s “Eager Lion” military exercises involving each country’s ground, naval, and air forces, the Times of Israel reports.

Organized by the US Defense Department, “Eager Lion” is a two-week multinational military exercise held annually in Jordan since 2011.

Ten Arab countries and 22 other countries, including the United States, France, and Britain, are taking part in the drills, which will end on May 23, TOI reports.

While the drills are set to include anti-terrorism and air defense training, and Jordan, Britain, France, and the UK all helped to defend Israel against the recent missile attack by Iran, the Israeli military is engaged in a war against Hamas in Gaza and is not participating.

In a statement to reporters, Jordanian army spokesman Colonel Mustafa al-Hiyari said the “Eager Lion” drills are needed to deal with “terrorist organizations” and “the proliferation of drones, and biological, chemical and nuclear weapons of mass destruction,” as well as major disasters and aiming “to confront the emerging and cross-border threats of this era.”

Jordan’s decision to join the drills has “nothing to do with regional developments,” al-Hiyari added.

“The Eager Lion drill is an extraordinary opportunity for all of us to strengthen ties, exchange knowledge and expertise among our countries’ armed forces, and stand united in our commitment to support the regional and international security and ability to [respond],” Brig. Gen. Hassan Khaldi, JAF director of military training, said in a statement.

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