Qatar has launched a large-scale joint security exercise involving forces from the UAE, other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and specialised units from the United States, underscoring growing regional and international security coordination.
The exercise, titled Arabian Gulf Security 4, began on Monday and will continue until February 4. According to officials, it features more than 70 field-based scenarios and over 260 hours of intensive training, making it one of the most comprehensive joint security drills in the region.
High-level participation and oversight
The exercise is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force Lekhwiya. At the opening ceremony, senior security leaders from GCC countries joined commanders and officers from participating regional and international agencies.
Together, their presence underscored the strategic importance of the drills and reflected a shared commitment to strengthening collective security across the Gulf.
Focus on real-world security challenges
Arabian Gulf Security 4 centres on handling complex and high-risk scenarios. Training modules cover counter-terrorism operations, organised crime, emergency and crisis response, critical infrastructure protection, and joint command-and-control procedures.
In addition, the exercise aims to strengthen coordination between specialised operations rooms, allowing participating forces to test communication systems, decision-making processes, and rapid response mechanisms under realistic conditions.
UAE highlights commitment to regional security
Brigadier Abdulaziz Ahmad Al Hajri, commander of the UAE security force participating in the exercise, said the UAE’s involvement reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening Gulf security cooperation.
At the same time, he explained that the drills allow forces to test operational plans, sharpen readiness, and exchange expertise with regional and international partners. According to him, exercises of this scale help security teams stay prepared for evolving threats and increasingly complex emergency scenarios.
Strengthening collective readiness
Arabian Gulf Security ranks among the region’s most significant joint training exercises. By recreating real-world operational scenarios, the programme strengthens coordination, integration, and collective response across participating forces.
Against a backdrop of evolving security challenges in the Gulf, officials say exercises such as Arabian Gulf Security 4 help build trust, improve interoperability, and enable faster, unified responses to emerging threats.
Follow us on Instagram and stay updated with our current news
Photo: Wam
