WIREDGOV

The strong and lasting relationship between the UK and Moroccan Armed Forces has been reinforced by a month-long joint training exercise.

Exercise Jebel Sahara, which concluded last week, took place a few miles north of Marrakech and brought together around 500 troops from both UK and Moroccan personnel.

The exercise, being held for the 15th consecutive year, provided a training opportunity for Army units from 4 Brigade, and this year the Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG) trained with the Moroccan Deuxieme Brigade d’Infanterie Parachutiste (2BIP).

This year saw the re-introduction of the Joint Helicopter Force Training, which provided Puma support to the exercise, and high temperatures provided troops with an opportunity to train in the heat.

Minister for the Armed Forces Penny Mordaunt said:

The relationship between the UK and Moroccan Armed Forces continues to grow, and Exercise Jebel Sahara has given UK personnel from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment the opportunity to work alongside Moroccan forces.

We will continue to develop this key relationship moving forward.

Commodore Ian McGhie, Commander British Forces, said:

This bond has been formed over a number of years and this mutually beneficial, high end training exercise is key to continuing to develop the relationship in the future.

This exercise epitomises and is an exemplar of exactly what the UK government and MOD is looking for in terms of wider regional engagement and defence diplomacy. I commend the RG and 2BIP.