NATO Warships Arrive In Algeria For Drill

Two NATO warships docked at the port of Oran in northwestern Algeria on Sunday for a joint naval exercise with the Algerian Navy, Algeria’s Defence Ministry said.

The Greek frigate HS Kountouriotis and Italian patrol ship ITS Montecuccoli are scheduled to remain in Algeria until Wednesday as part of a naval visit.

The Algerian Navy will conduct a PASSEX exercise with the two vessels, focusing on maritime surveillance. The Defence Ministry said the drill is intended to promote the exchange of expertise and strengthen cooperation.

The exercise follows previous maritime cooperation between Algeria and NATO member states in the Mediterranean, where similar naval drills have been conducted.

The commanders of the visiting vessels and their delegations also paid a courtesy visit to the commander of Algeria’s main naval base at Mers El Kebir, near Oran.

According to the Defence Ministry, discussions during the visit focused on advancing military cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations.

Mers El Kebir is Algeria’s largest naval base and forms part of the country’s western maritime zone along the coast near the border with Morocco.

The visit comes amid continued military and diplomatic tensions in the wider Maghreb region, where relations between Algeria and Morocco remain strained.

Details on the scope and duration of the PASSEX exercise beyond the planned naval visit were not provided by the Defence Ministry.

SOURCE: AA