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
Trump envoy Witkoff has sent 'detailed and acceptable proposal' to Iran for nuclear deal; it's in their best interest to accept it: White House Press Secretary Leavitt
Hamas official says Witkoff's position toward group was 'unfair' and shows 'complete bias' to 'Israel'
Hamas official says it has considered Witkoff's proposal acceptable for negotiations, says 'Israel's' response was incompatible with what the group agreed on
Hamas official says group has not rejected Wikoff's proposal for Gaza ceasefire
Witkoff: 'That is the only way we can close a 60-day ceasefire deal in the coming days in which half of the living hostages and half of those who are deceased will come home to their families'
Witkoff: 'Hamas should accept the framework proposal we put forward as the basis for proximity talks, which we can begin immediately this coming week'
Witkoff calls Hamas response 'totally unacceptable'
Israeli PM says 'Israel will continue its action in Gaza for the return of hostages and defeat of Hamas'
Israeli PM says Hamas is continuing its refusal of Witkoff proposal for Gaza
Received document: Cessation of military operations by both sides for a long-term period of 5-7 years, guaranteed by mediators

'Israel' joins 6 countries in Cyprus to drill evac from conflict zones

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 May 2022 16:35
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

Cyprus claims “Argonaut 2022" is one of the most important civilian evacuation drills in the world.

  • x
  • AFP
    A Royal Navy Lynx helicopter taking part in the "Multinational CIMIC Exercise, ARGONAUT 2019, Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations, a rescue drill in which countries participated on May 30, 2019. (AFP)

The US, Italy, France, "Israel", Greece, and others have taken part in a group of drills in and around Cyprus created to ease evacuations from conflict zones and to carry out offshore rescue operations, in an action seen as urgent following the war in Ukraine.

Egypt, and for the first time, took part with its own military forces in the Friday leg of the annual drill, while Saudi Arabia sent observers in a delegation to “Argonaut 2022", which Cyprus has called one of the most important civilian evacuation drills in the world.

Cypriot Defense Minister Charalambos Petrides informed foreign officials that participating countries were involved in planning the mass evacuation of civilians escaping a crisis in a neighboring country.

“Cyprus is located in an area of perpetual turmoil and instability and there is always the possibility of a conflict or a crisis,” he said, adding that consequently, “we have to remain vigilant, able and ready to facilitate our friends and allies for dealing with crisis situations and provide safe haven for those affected.”

15 other countries sent delegations to observe coordination efforts by Cypriot officials and foreign embassies to ease the potential arrival of foreign nationals at Cyprus’ main port of Limassol.

The exercise ended in a search and rescue operation with aircraft and vessels simulating what Cypriot officials called a “serious maritime accident” off the southern coast of the East Mediterranean island nation.

The exercise, first held 15 years ago, took place this year after a two-year hiatus because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Related News

17 Palestinians killed in US-Israeli designated aid zones in Gaza

Shooting on University of Minnesota campus injures 2; suspect detained

IOF launch largest military exercise in history of occupation

Earlier this month, the Israeli occupation announced launching the largest military drills in its history in occupied Palestine, codenamed "Chariots of Fire", as the region undergoes high tensions.

The military correspondent for the Israeli Channel 13, Or Heller, said that "the Israeli army recommended, during a discussion session in the security and military establishment, not to launch a military operation in Gaza, but to increase arrests in the Palestinian areas (West Bank), change the 'rules of engagement' [opening fire], and consider the border fence between Israel and the Palestinian territories as a borderline in every sense of the word."

Heller noted that the Israeli occupation forces "began today the largest maneuver in their history, Chariots of Fire, which simulates a multifront war," adding that "last year this maneuver was postponed due to Operation Guardian of the Walls [battle of Seif Al-Quds], and this year they hope to complete it as planned without being disrupted by a war."

US military to participate in Israeli simulated attack on Iran

According to Israeli media, the Israeli Air Force will conduct a simulation of a widescale strike on Iran in May, during the "Chariots of Fire" drills.

The aviation drills, which will include a simulated strike on Iranian nuclear sites, will take place over the Mediterranean Sea during the month-long exercise, which begins on May 29. The "Chariots of Fire" exercise, which involves virtually all IOF units, has been focused on preparing to strike along "Israel's" northern borders, especially against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Last year, IOF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi said he had directed the military to begin developing new strike plans against Iran. Kohavi stated in September that the army's preparations for a strike against Tehran's nuclear program had "greatly accelerated".

On another note, Michael Kurilla, head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), arrived in "Israel" on Tuesday for his first official visit, and Gantz is scheduled to meet with Lloyd Austin on Thursday in Washington.

Gantz has previously warned that "Israel’s" list of targets for Lebanon is “bigger and more significant than the one for Gaza.”

According to the IOF, troops have been training to respond to unforeseen occurrences in several theaters at the same time throughout the exercise, which is slated to extend until June 3.

  • United States
  • Italy
  • Israel
  • France
  • Greece
  • Cyprus

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Doctors weigh a Palestinian baby at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic in Muwasi, near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (AP)
Health

US-Israeli Gaza aid plan is catastrophic, inhumane: MSF

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Latakia governorate on May 30, 2025 (Social media)
Politics

Israeli airstrikes hit military targets across western Syria

An Iranian security official in protective clothing walks through part of the Uranium Conversion Facility just outside the Iranian city of Isfahan, March 30, 2005. (AP)
Politics

US, E3 to push IAEA to declare Iran in breach of nuclear commitments

A Syrian soldier closes the gate of a military base on the outskirts of Harasta, near Damascus, Syria, Saturday, May 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Syrians expel Israeli patrol in Quneitra amid rising tensions

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