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
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Two people, including a soldier, were injured in an Israeli airstrike near the town of Beit Yahoun, Bint Jbeil District, in South Lebanon
Araghchi: Iran is committed to diplomacy and expects the lifting of unjust and unilateral sanctions that directly target its people
Araghchi: We want a fair and balanced agreement reached within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty with full respect for Iran's nuclear rights
Araghchi: Iran has always sought to alleviate legitimate international concerns about its nuclear program through transparency
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the principle of not producing or deploying weapons of mass destruction
Araghchi: Iran is committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has never sought to possess nuclear weapons based on its principles
Araghchi: Iran has always emphasized that it does not seek nuclear weapons, and we call for a fair and just agreement that guarantees our national interests and lifts sanctions
Araghchi: We call for a referendum in Palestine so that the Palestinians can decide their fate
Araghchi: The Zionist entity is a threat to the countries of the region, and a real solution must be reached
Araghchi: Iran wishes nothing but good, progress, and development for its neighboring countries, and we must expand economic and structural projects with them

'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

Trump regional strategy 'made over Netanyahu’s head': NYT

Mexican navy ship crash at Brooklyn Bridge kills 2, injures 17

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

Two F-35 jets arrive at it's new operational base Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Hill Air Force Base, in northern Utah. (AP)

F-35 near-misses over Yemen signal new risks for 'Israel': Forbes

  • Politics
  • 14 May 2025
Palestinians pray over bodies of people killed in the Israeli bombardment who were brought from the Shifa hospital before burying them in a mass grave in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP )

Gaza casualty figures mask a much bigger horror, new study shows

  • Politics
  • 11 May 2025
Abu Obaida

Abu Obeida posts shortly after Israeli reports about his assassination

  • Palestine
  • 15 May 2025
Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

  • Politics
  • 15 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
A Microsoft sign and logo are pictured at the company's headquarters, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP)
Technology

Microsoft admits supplying AI to 'Israel' amid Gaza carnage

Israeli occupation’s tanks parked in a staging area near the border with Gaza, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' launches multi-axis assault in Gaza under 'Gideon’s Chariots'

People stand at the train ticket counter of NJ Transit at Penn Station, amid a strike by New Jersey Transit train engineers, in New York, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Economy

Commuters stranded amid first New Jersey railway strike in 40 years

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts
US & Canada

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts

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