Special to WorldTribune.com

AMMAN — Jordan has disclosed plans for a major military exercise in May 2014.

The military said it would host a multi-national exercise called Eager Lion scheduled for May 25. The two-week exercise would contain more than 13,000 troops from 24 countries.

The latest edition of Eager Lion, organized by Jordan and the United States, was said to be much larger than in 2013. A year ago, 8,000 troops from 19 countries participated in the exercise amid the war in neighboring Syria.

“The exercise will consist of ground, air and naval forces comprising a total of more than 13,000,” Jordan’s official Petra News Agency said.

In a report on May 18, Petra said the annual exercise would run from May 25 to June 10. The agency said the exercise would focus on counter-insurgency as well as interoperability.

“It aims to tackle terrorism and insurrection and develop capacity to plan and execute joint operations,” Petra said.

Officials said the United States would have one of the largest
contingents in Eager Exercise, with 6,000 troops. On May 14, U.S. Defense
Secretary Chuck Hagel discussed the exercise with Jordanian Chief of Staff
Lt. Gen. Mashal Al Zaben.

Arab states were expected to play a major role in the exercise. Five of
the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as Egypt, Iraq and
Lebanon were preparing to participate.

“The maneuvers will feature ground, air and naval forces, as well as
thousands of civilians working in crisis management and security
authorities,” Pentra said.

  000 troops, 000 troops from 24 nations, 24 nations, Chuck Hagel, GCC, Jordan: Expanded 2014 exercise will include 13, Lt. Gen. Mashal Al Zaben