US, Israel launch week of major military exercises

Washington: The US and Israel have begun what a US official described as the most important joint military exercise the Allies have ever held, involving thousands of forces, a dozen ships and 142 aircraft, including nuclear-capable bombers.

The “Juniper Oak” exercise, which will last until Friday, is meant to demonstrate and deepen integration between the US and Israeli forces, a senior US defense official said, and comes at a time of rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme.