RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) and the Sudanese Navy continued their Astronomy 4 joint military exercise on Tuesday at the Western Fleet’s King Faisal Naval Base, the Kingdom’s defense ministry said. Brig. Gen. Hazza Al-Mutairi, the commander of the exercise, said it includes a number of elements, including procedures for enforcing the right to visit and inspect suspicious ships, combat training in built-up areas, and methods for storming buildings. #WATCH: Royal Saudi Naval Forces and Sudanese Navy continue their Astronomy 4 joint military exercise at the Western Fleet’s King Faisal Naval Base #RSNF@modgovksahttps://t.co/mZfAutHHH2pic.twitter.com/3tTUXnwTGN — Arab News (@arabnews) March 23, 2021 The exercises also features target practice using primary and secondary weapons, and combat patrols involving marines and navy special forces units from both sides. The five-day exercise, which began on Sunday, comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region as a result of escalating attacks on Saudi Arabia by militias aligned with Iran. Meanwhile, RSNF in the Western Fleet participated in joint crossover exercises with their Indonesian counterpart in the Red Sea on Tuesday. The Royal Saudi Naval Forces participate in a joint exercise with their Indonesian counterparts in the Red Sea. (Twitter/@modgovksa) The exercise included combat and operational scenarios featuring naval ships and vertical aircraft, and was aimed at raising the level of combat capabilities in maritime operations, the defense ministry said. “The exercise also aimed to exchange expertise between the two navies and develop their capabilities,” it added.