Kenyan and Jordanian military to train together to fight terrorism

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the Jordanian military will train together in new ways of fighting terrorism.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and King Abdullah II of Jordan said on Monday that the two countries would forge stronger military cooperation to deal better with the emerging security threats.

Clad in military fatigues, the two leaders witnessed “Exercise Swift Eagle” at the Humanitarian Peace Support School at Embakasi Garrison, Nairobi.

Elite units of the two militaries staged a simulation on how to respond to terrorist attacks, in one scenario, displaying skills on subduing terrorists who may hijack a plane. In another, they showed how to respond to a terror attack in a village.

President Kenyatta said: “The joint exercises were aimed at creating and improving interoperability between Kenyan and Jordanian forces.

“I am convinced that now our forces are ready for real problems in either of our countries, or elsewhere, should the need arise to tackle either conventional or asymmetric threats.”

King Abdullah said: “The training is with the objective of standing shoulder to shoulder.

“These similarities bring us together against a common enemy. We aim to have stronger co-ordination.”

Jordan has also sent an expert to train Kenya Air Force fighter pilots. Thirty-eight other officers will be trained by February.

TRAINING TOGETHER

KDF’s Special Forces and Jordan’s Quick Reaction Force, both elite units, had been training together for eight days. Two elite units from the KDF — Special Forces and Ranger Regiment — were joined by the Quick Reaction Force in displaying tactics to deal with conventional and asymmetric war threats.

“I would also like to register our appreciation of the assistance the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has extended to our defence forces, enhancing our Air Force and air crew capacity through a training programme covering diverse skills,” said the President.

King Abdullah added: “We have started a new chapter in our partnership of friendship.

“It is a new beginning for Kenya and Jordan.”

Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo said partnership was essential for maintaining global peace.

The Chief of Defence Forces, General Samson Mwathethe, said the goal of the joint military exercise had been achieved.

Later at State House, Nairobi, President Kenyatta and King Abdullah held talks on wider bilateral issues, including ways to expand trade between Kenya and Jordan.

The two countries also look to improve trade relations, which have remained strained following a ban on the exporting of domestic workers to the Middle East kingdom.

King Abdullah is on his first official visit to Kenya since he ascended to the throne in 1999. The monarch is reciprocating a visit by President Kenyatta to his country in August last year.