![An Egyptian navy craft patrols as ships resume navigation in the Suez Canal, 30 March 2021 [TAREK WAJEH/AFP/Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Egypt-navy-.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The joint naval exercise called Morgan-17 between Egyptian and Saudi naval forces has kicked off in Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced on Monday.
According to the announcement, the military drills, which will take place over several days, will include theoretical lectures and training conferences as well as tactical exercises by naval Special Forces, using various small arms and surface-to-surface artillery.
The drills will also include surface-to-air targeting, the Egyptian army said in its statement.
The Morgan-17 exercise is taking place at the King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah on the Red Sea, according to the Saudi Ministry of Defence.
Iran and Saudi Arabia want to mend diplomatic ties.
On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, said that his country welcomes the re-opening of Saudi Arabia and Iran’s embassies in each other’s countries, adding that the way is open for Riyadh to restore diplomatic relations with Tehran.
READ: 6 years after Nimr’s execution, Iran and Saudi ‘preparing to reopen embassies’