Ammon News - By Shaherah Khatatbeh

AMMONNEWS - The Eager Lion 2012 military exercises started on Tuesday with more than 11,000 multinational forces who gathering in Jordan.

The chief of staff of the Jordanian Operations and Training Armed Forces Major General. Awni el-Edwan denied that they are sending a not-so-quiet message to others in the region especially Syria.

About Israel participation in the event, he dined also the participation of Israeli forces.

He said on Tuesday , during a press conference with the American counterpart in the King Abdullah Center for the Special Operations, that the exercises will take place in the southern parts of Jordan and they will not practice any activity across the country northern border with Syria.


From today until the end of May, one of the largest multinational military exercises the region has ever seen is taking place in Jordan. There are more than 19 nations, including the United States and a number of Arab and European countries, gathering to practice their combat skills.

CNN reported on Tuesday that the U.S. Navy already is keeping two aircraft carriers in the next-door Persian Gulf region, and stepping up the presence of minesweepers in those waters. The Air Force has sent half a dozen F-22 fighters to the United Arab Emirates. The Joint Special Operations Command has conducted several deadly drone strikes against al Qaeda in Yemen.

The exercise is part of the overall U.S. military strategy to support Jordan, strengthen military -to- military relationships between the participating countries, and to exchange experiences, according to the commanding General of the American Special Operations command Center Major General Ken Tofo expressions.