Saudi Arabia and France kicked off a joint military exercise in the Saudi region of Ta’if, southwest of Makkah on Tuesday. The exercise, involving an unspecified number of ground troops from the two countries, would focus on battles in mountainous regions and on how to back ground operations with proper air cover. The drill was a routine part of military cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia. Leader of the drill Colonel Fawaz al-Osaimi explained that it is considered an extension of joint exercises between the Saudi Royal Land Forces, represented by paratroopers and special security forces, the Special Mountain War Center, and the French Special Forces. It aims at enhancing joint military bilateral cooperation and exchanging experiences and concepts in terms of operations using all available resources. Training on offensive operations and those in support of Air Force and Ground Forces fighter jets will be conducted with a focus on all skills in the mountainous environment.