The Flintlock 2017 military exercises were launched in the Tifnit training base in Morocco’s southern zone area of operations with the participation of US experts and more than 2,000 military personnel from 24 African and Western nations. During this exercise, an emphasis is placed on small unit special operations forces tactics, weapons training and fire support, lifesaving first aid and trauma care, command and control and force protection. The event aims at strengthening security institutions, promoting multilateral sharing of information and developing interoperability between counterterrorism partners from across Africa’s Sahara region. Several African special operations forces and Special Operations Command Africa jointly plan and execute the exercise, the same source said. “Morocco plays a key leadership role in Africa and we are honored by the continued partnership and friendship between our two countries.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 06, 2017 15:52 UTC