Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.

1,200 soldiers from 4 NATO states train river crossing in Germany

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Jun 2025 19:29
3 Min Read

Around 1,200 troops and 500 vehicles from NATO allies are participating in the Grand Crossing exercise in Germany, practicing river crossings and bridge-building over the Rhine and Weser.

Listen
  • x
  • British soldiers from the 16 Air Assault Brigade take part in the Swift Response 22 military exercise at the Krivolak army training polygon in the central part of North Macedonia, May 12, 2022.  (AP)
    British soldiers from the 16 Air Assault Brigade take part in the Swift Response 22 military exercise at the Krivolak army training polygon in the central part of North Macedonia, May 12, 2022 (AP)

Approximately 1,200 soldiers and 500 pieces of military hardware from four NATO member states have commenced the Grand Crossing exercise in Germany. According to German broadcaster NTV, the exercise began on Saturday and involves military personnel from Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Italy.

The NATO military drills in Germany are focused on training troops to conduct coordinated river crossing operations. As part of the Grand Crossing exercise, soldiers are practicing the use of heavy vehicles to traverse large rivers, specifically the Rhine. The German military highlighted the importance of these drills in maintaining operational readiness for complex logistical operations.

The 14-day NATO river crossing exercise includes the construction of ferry crossings and temporary military bridges. These structures will be deployed across major waterways, including the Rhine and the Weser, Germany's third-largest river. The drills aim to enhance the alliance's capability to rapidly deploy and maneuver forces across difficult terrain.

A significant component of the exercise is the building of temporary military bridges, which will enable armored and support vehicles to move efficiently across river barriers. This training is seen as critical to strengthening NATO's joint operations capability in Europe, ensuring that allied forces can effectively respond to various operational scenarios.

Related News

Russia says NATO drills 'provocative', highlights defensive abilities

NATO agrees to hike defense funds

Recently, NATO allies agreed to significantly increase defense spending, making it a major foreign policy win for US President Donald Trump, who had been urging the coalition to increase its defense budget since assuming office for his second term. 

In a show of unity aimed at deterring Russia, Trump joined other leaders in reaffirming NATO’s core commitment to collective defense under Article Five, declaring that an attack on one member is an attack on all. The final summit declaration described this promise as "ironclad".

Behind closed doors, diplomats said Trump emphasized the US leadership role and urged allies to use their increased budgets to buy American-made weapons.

The deal represents a compromise: while allowing Trump to celebrate a win, it offers flexibility to European nations facing financial constraints. Under the agreement, members will aim to reach 3.5% of GDP in direct defense spending by 2035, with an additional 1.5% directed toward broader security areas like critical infrastructure.

Read more: Rutte causes stir calling Trump 'Daddy' at NATO summit

  • NATO drills
  • Nato
  • Russia
  • Germany
  • Nato exercise
  • Ukraine
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS