Military drill in Saudi Arabia not linked to operation against Yemen - Hishammuddin

The military drill by 20 countries including Malaysia in Saudi Arabia has nothing to do with the military campaign against Yemen, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said the 'Thunder of the North' drill from today to March 4 was a multi-nation military training that had been going on for over 15 years.

Hishammuddin said the drill, in the Hafar Al Batin training ground in northern Saudi Arabia, involved ground, naval and air forces.

"I wish to confirm that Malaysian armed forces are not involved in any military campaign led by Saudi Arabia against the conflict in Yemen as highlighted in the social media.

"I am consistent in stating that Malaysia supports any effort to combat militant activities but Malaysian armed forces are not involved in any military operation in Yemen," he said.

Hishammuddin said the Malaysian armed forces accepted an invitation by Saudi Arabia to participate in the drill to gain military exercise experience in an environment different from Malaysia's.

The drill in the gulf area was the first for the Malaysian armed forces personnel and would provide them with experience necessary for the future.

"The training will also give the Malaysian armed forces personnel the opportunity to understand procedures associated with humanitarian and disaster assistance that may be executed during operations to rescue Malaysians in the event of a conflict in the region," he said.

Hishammuddin said the Malaysian armed forces would make use of opportunities to train its personnel in various and multi-terrain situations to make the force a credible one in the region.

"The 'Thunder of the North' exercise is being held in northern Saudi Arabia while Yemen is situated to the south of Saudi Arabia," he said.