Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - With war and insurgencies imperiling nation states throughout the Middle East and Africa, military commanders and government officials from around the world are convening May 9 here for the biennial Middle East Special Operations Commanders Conference (MESOC) and Special Operations Forces Exhibition (SOFEX).

Under the patronage of Jordanian King Abdullah II and in collaboration with the Jordanian Joint Special Operations Command, the four-day SOFEX event takes place as the Hashemite Kingdom takes on an ever-increasing role in the global war against the Islamic State state and other extremist groups spreading terrorism and anarchy in the region and beyond.

“Jordan has proven itself to be extremely effective in combating terror and providing for its homeland security,” said Riad Kahwaji, initiator of the MESOC conference, now in its eighth year. “Jordan has played a big role in training of the Iraqi Army and its King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC) has become the place to go for the type of training needed to meet today’s threats.”

He noted that this year’s theme is “Networking for Global Security,” and will include presentations by Jordanian, US, German, Egyptian, Pakistani, French and Australian commanders.

Amer Tabbeh, founding director of the exhibition, said SOFEX remains the region’s only event exclusively focused on special operations forces (SOF) and homeland security missions.

“SOFEX has always been a relevant and unique platform for dialogue and for bringing commanders and operators together with the world’s leading equipment manufacturers. This year, our 11th edition, will be even more relevant due to the expanded role that SOF plays in combating proliferating threats,” Tabbeh told Defense News.

Nearly 60 delegations — including ministers, chiefs of staff and SOF commanders from the US, Europe, Russia, China, Turkey and much of the Arab world — are confirmed for the May 9-12 event.

Similarly, exhibitors from 36 countries will be showcasing latest systems and technologies for SOF, homeland security and peacekeeping missions.

As in previous years, large delegations are expected from members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and African nations, organizers say. But this year, in response to the instability and devastation sowed by the ongoing Syrian civil war, now in its sixth year, representatives of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Damascus have not been invited, organizers say.

Two other regional powers — Iran and Israel — do not participate in the biennial SOFEX event.

*Defense News