US-Led Naval Exercise Brings Morocco and Algeria Together Despite Diplomatic Rift

Organized by the Sixth Fleet of the United States and the European Command of the US Navy and Tunisia - co-organizer and host country -, the 17th edition of the international exercise Phoenix Express 2022 will see the participation of 13 countries from North Africa, Europe and the United States of America, reports the Tunisie Telegraph website. Among them, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Libya.

An advanced training for marine vanguard teams and special forces is scheduled as part of this exercise, the objective of which is to train the participating navies to lead and implement a joint naval operation to resist illegal activities at sea, and to develop the skills of the military, through the exchange of experiences among them.

According to Captain Harry Knight, the exercise director, the exercises increase interoperability between the participating countries in order to enhance maritime security and maintain global trade. "We are developing our skills with our regional partners by learning from each other and working together," he had said during the previous edition.

The international exercise Phoenix Express 2022 focuses on regional cooperation, maritime awareness, information sharing practices, operational capabilities and strengthening efforts to enhance safety and security in the Mediterranean, according to the Tunisian Ministry of Defense.