ABU DHABI Ñ British and Omani militaries are conducting the last stage of their huge exercise in a joint defense against an Iraqi attack.

Gulf defense sources said the final phase of Swift Sword-2 is meant to train against an Iraqi invasion. The organizers of the exercise envision an Iraqi air and sea incursion.

The Iraqi threat is not specified in the plans for Swift Sword-2. The invader is called Alawaham although its movement and nature resembles that of Iraq.

The last stage of Swift Sword, which takes place this week, pits two opposing armies along the desert plains near the Omani coast. The defending force is responsible for defending Omani oil fields and obtaining help from a British rapid reaction force.

Britain has contributed 23,000 troops to the exercise. Oman has deployed 14,000 soldiers. On Thursday, the British Defense Ministry announced that a British soldier died in an accident during the exercise.

"I think the exercise has attracted considerable admiration in the region, because of the United Kingdom's commitment to the security of the region and the sultanate," Omani air force commander Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Bin Mahfoudh Al Ardhi said.

The U.S.-led war in Afghanistan, however, has affected the exercise. Officials said two nuclear-powered British submarines were called away from the exercise to join in the strikes on the Afghan ruling Taliban movement.

The exercise is being directed by a command center manned by British and Omani officers. The progress of the exercise is monitored by 75 so-called umpires.

Britain hopes to draw lessons from Swift Sword-2 for a major exercise with the United States in 2004. Swift Sword ends on Nov. 1 and most British troops plan to leave Oman two weeks later, one the eve of the fast month of Ramadan.

Print this Article

Email this article

Free Headline Alerts