US suspends military exercises with Gulf countries

The US has suspended military exercises which have are held annually with the participation of its Gulf Arab allies, Associated Press (AP) reported today.

The US Central Command, Colonel John Thomas, announced that the decision was made in an effort to rebuke the Arab countries entangled in a months-long diplomatic spat with Qatar, which was said to have eroded counterterrorism cooperation in the region.

He noted that the Pentagon aims to signal to the Gulf countries that the US military seeks to work together with other nations in the region.

“We are opting out of some military exercises out of respect for the concept of inclusiveness and shared regional interests,” Thomas stressed.

“We will continue to encourage all partners to work together toward the sort of common solutions that enable security and stability in the region,” he added.

Read: Trump warned Saudi, UAE over military action against Qatar

Among the exercises that are likely to be affected is the “Eagle Resolve” manoeuvre, according to AP. Eagle Resolve is an annual exercise held since 1999, where GCC countries send forces alongside Americans to simulate working as a multinational force in battle. This year, the exercise was held in Kuwait in March where some 1,000 US troops had participated.

The US and its Gulf allies have regularly held joint, smaller-scale exercises in the region.

The Gulf countries are yet to comment on the US army’s decision.

On 5 June, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar accusing the Gulf state of supporting terrorism. Qatar denies the charges, claiming the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty.