The Israeli Navy took part in a US-led drill alongside Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and a few other nations that do not have diplomatic connections with Israel, as per reports.
The International Maritime Exercise (IMX), which began on January 31, drew more than 9,000 participants from 60 militaries, according to a statement released by the US Navy on Thursday. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, and Yemen were among the attendees, all of whom have no diplomatic connections with Israel.
Several countries with which Israel has lately normalised relations, like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, took part. Bahrain is a strong US ally and home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, according to the report. The drill began in 2012 and has grown to become "the largest multinational naval exercise in the Middle East," according to the US Navy.
According to Israeli media, this was the country's first military exercise with countries with which it does not have diplomatic relations. The participation in the American exercise "demonstrates the strengthening relationship between our fleets, based on power, mutual learning, and strategic partnership," Israeli Navy Chief David Salama said in a statement, as per source.
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