US military intensifies joint drills with allies in the Middle East

The United States has been intensifying joint drills with allied nations in the Middle East in a sign of its ongoing commitment to the security of the region in the face of emerging and current threats.

From attacks on vessels to the provision of drones to its affiliates, Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been threatening the flow of global trade and the stability of several countries, including Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

As a result, US and partner forces have been intensifying their joint military exercises to improve interoperability, strengthen partner-nation relationships and enhance both individual and bilateral unit readiness.

The latest of these was Intrepid Maven 23.3, a quarterly exercise that brought together US and Emirati forces in its last iteration in May.

The exercise included more than 100 US marines and sailors, alongside partnering elements of the UAE Armed Forces.

They conducted infantry-based close-quarters combat training, live-fire close-air support exercises, and expeditionary airfield operations at several training locations throughout the country.

Intrepid Maven 23.3 marks the second time US Central Command (CENTCOM) has conducted this exercise in the UAE, and the seventh time in the Middle East.

Exercise Intrepid Maven, designed in late 2021, was held the first time in Jordan in March 2022.

The series "is designed to strengthen partnerships, produce training opportunities, contribute to interoperability, and improve conditions for regional security", CENTCOM said in a statement on June 2.

Largest exercise in Mideast

Other exercises were significant for their complexity and the international forces they brought together.

On June 8, two B-1Bs travelled across the Middle East, joining allied air force partner nations in a historic Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission.

It was the first time the US Air Force flew multiple weapon types and carried out strikes against multiple simulated targets during a single BTF mission.

The B-1B Lancers took off from Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom to join various fighter coalition forces throughout the Middle East region, including Israel, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

"These bomber missions represent the US commitment to our partners and showcase our ability to deliver overwhelming power at a moment's notice," said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander of US Air Forces in the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.

"Today was a demonstration of that capability and the strength of our partnerships."

From February 26 to March 16, International Maritime Exercise (IMX) 2023, the largest naval exercise in the Middle East and second largest in the world, was held in the region.

This was the eighth iteration of IMX since its establishment in 2012.

US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) led the 18-day naval training event, which it combined with exercise Cutlass Express led by US Naval Forces Europe-Africa.

The exercise was spread across thousands of miles of the Middle East and Africa. More than 7,500 military personnel from 50 nations participated, committing more than two dozen ships, a dozen dive/bomb disposal teams, 15 aircraft, 26 board and search teams and over 40 crewless systems above, on and below the waves.

IMX 2023 also employed more than 30 unmanned and artificial intelligence systems that partners operated on both sides of the Arabian Peninsula.

"I liked this gathering because it was international. Together we stand, divided we fall," said Yemen Coast Guard Cmdr. Faozi Sultan.

Participating forces and organisations were divided into five operational task forces than spanned across the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Indian Ocean and East African coastal regions.

The task forces were commanded by leaders from Bahrain, Jordan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

"I've learned a lot in the decision-making process, especially through multiple training situations that happened at the same time. It made me think outside the box," said Egyptian Navy Cmdr. Mohamed Gharbyia.

During the exercise, US and international partners deployed for the first time in the Middle East a long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) called a K1000ULE.

The aerial drone can fly for more than 26 hours, and is useful for further enhancing development of a resilient communications network for unmanned systems, the US Navy said.

Misplaced priorities

While the United States focuses its resources and expertise to support its regional partners and enhance naval security, Iran is focused on showing the world its meager abilities outside the region.

Iran has boasted at length about the May 17 return of the Iranian navy's 86th flotilla from a voyage around the world, saying the flotilla's circumnavigation was part of its efforts to expand its naval presence.

But the regime's emphasis on its navy's circumnavigation with a relatively small fleet of ships is exaggerated and comes 500 years late, observers said, particularly at a time when Iran's political and economic struggles are so severe and evident.

Meanwhile, Iran has been using drones for destruction across the globe, has continued to militarise its affiliated Houthi group in Yemen despite the "peace deal" with Saudi Arabia, and has not ceased to meddle in regional countries' affairs.

Tehran has clung to China and Russia, though neither country is acting or has historically acted in Iran's interest.